Students protesting at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) staged a procession on campus after Friday prayers yesterday, despite the university being closed for the day.

The procession began in front of the university’s central mosque, went around Swadhinata Chattar and ended in front of the Central Shaheed Minar.

The students have been enforcing an all-out shutdown at CUET for the 11th consecutive day, demanding the reinstatement of former vice-chancellor Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem.

Speaking after the procession, Zulkarnain Mihad, a fourth-year student of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, said the students had yet to receive any response from the higher authorities regarding their demand.

“Friday marks the 11th day of our movement. We still have not received any response from the higher authorities regarding our demand. Today’s procession was held in protest,” he said.

“We have decided to keep classes and examinations suspended until our demand is met. We hope to receive a positive response from the authorities and university administration soon,” he added.

Professor Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem of CUET’s Department of Mechanical Engineering assumed office as vice-chancellor on July 27.

On Sept 21, he was removed from the post and Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) was appointed as the new vice-chancellor.

Students began protesting on campus that night, objecting to the decision to replace the vice-chancellor only 56 days after his appointment.

Since Sept 22, students have been enforcing an all-out shutdown demanding Sayem’s reinstatement. They have also held torch processions, displayed red cards, formed human chains and collected signatures as part of the movement.

The shutdown has brought regular classes, examinations and all academic activities at the university to a complete halt.