Teachers of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology bring out a procession in the capital on Tuesday, demanding resignation of the university vice-chancellor.— New Age photo

The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology authorities on Tuesday evening announced a one-and-a-half-month vacation from Wednesday amid teachers’ movement demanding resignation of the university vice-chancellor SM Nazrul Islam and pro vice-chancellor M Habibur Rahman.
The vice-chancellor using his executive power declared the vacation that will end on August 24 and the vacation was sum of the vacations for summer, Eid ul-Fitr and Durgapuja, officials said.
All classes and examinations will remain suspended but the students’ dormitories will remain open, the officials said, adding that the official activities would also go on during the vacation.
Earlier on the day, the BUET teachers, addressing a rally at the BUET Shaheed Minar, gave an ultimatum to the vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor that they would begin an indefinite strike from July 14 if they would not resign.
The teachers leveled more than a dozen allegations against the university administration, including nepotism, autocratic rule and irregularities in the administration by the vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor.
BUET Teacher’s Association president Md Mujibur Rahman sought the intervention of president Zillur Rahman, also the university chancellor, and prime minister Sheikh Hasina to force out Nazrul and Habibur from their posts.
They condemned the report of the probe committee, formed on May 3 by syndicate members to investigate the alleged irregularities.
BUETTA vice-president Maksud Helali, general secretary Md Asharaful Islam, joint secretary Golam Zakaria attended the programme.
Between April 7 and May 5, teachers had abstained from all academic activities to push their demands but had suspended their strike on the assurance of Sheikh Hasina on May 5.
BUET vice-chancellor SM Nazrul Islam told New Age that the students had divided into two groups as the teachers who are on movement now had been persuading few of their students to bring out processions in their favour.
As there is fear that untoward incidents may occur among the divided students, the authorities decided to announce the vacation, he said.