Engineering students and engineers from various institutions gathered today (4 July) in Dhaka for a mass protest demanding reforms in the engineering recruitment process. The protest began at 10:00 am from Polashi Mor, BUET, and proceeded to Raju Bhaskarja.

The demonstration was held in support of a three-point demand:

1. Implementation of a mandatory test for all candidates applying for 9th grade engineering positions or assistant engineer roles, with BSc in Engineering as a requirement.

2. Equal opportunity for both diploma and BSc engineers to appear for the recruiting test for Technical 10th grade or sub-assistant engineer positions.3. Adoption of a law prohibiting individuals without a BSc in Engineering degree from using the title “Engineer”.

3. Adoption of a law prohibiting individuals without a BSc in Engineering degree from using the title “Engineer”.

Earlier in the day, students of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) organised a road blockade at Talaimari intersection in Rajshahi from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, pressing the same three-point demand. They marched in procession from their campus to the protest site before blocking the road for around one and a half hours.

The protests in Dhaka and Rajshahi were carried out simultaneously to press for these demands concerning structural issues in the country’s engineering job sector.