Jagannath University (JnU) students held a protest on Sunday, demanding the appointment of a new vice-chancellor (VC) from within the university. They also called for the resignation of the Marketing Department’s Chairman, Professor Zahir Uddin.
The protest took place on the first day of classes after a recent protest period, leading to a turbulent atmosphere on campus. Students marched and chanted slogans, emphasizing their demand for an internal VC.
Noor Nabi, a student from the Department of Islamic Studies, expressed the students' frustration. He explained that VCs from outside the university often take months to understand the campus situation, delaying important decisions. According to him, previous external VCs have been involved in corruption, which has harmed the university. He stressed that a VC from within JnU would be more aware of the university’s needs and could act faster to address issues.
Masud Rana, a Physics Department student, added that since JnU became a university in 2005, no long-serving teacher from the university has been appointed as VC. He warned that students are ready to protest again if their demand for an internal VC is not met.
A Philosophy student pointed out that students face many challenges during their studies, and external VCs have not been able to resolve these issues. He said that an internal VC would be more effective in addressing their concerns.
Arafat, an English Department student, voiced his distrust of teachers affiliated with political parties, stating that such individuals should not be considered for the VC position. He urged for a student-friendly VC who has supported student movements in the past.
In response to the demands for the Marketing Department’s chairman's resignation, Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, the department’s treasurer, assured the students that their concerns were heard and that steps would be taken to address the issue.
