After 65 days of student protests, the Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) today returned to normalcy following the announcement of removal of the university's vice-chancellor and pro vice-chancellor.

The Ministry of Education confirmed the move in a notice issued early today, prompting jubilant celebrations across the campus.

Students, who had staged a 57-hour hunger strike, broke their fast shortly after the announcement.

By mid-morning, Kuet's campus had begun to return to normalcy. Around 10:00am, only a few police officers were seen patrolling near the main gate.

"This is a victory for all of us," said Rahatul Islam, a civil engineering student who took part in the hunger strike.

"We stood firm for over two months, and today we've been heard."

At the Students' Welfare Centre—where the hunger strike had been held since Monday —mattresses, bedsheets, and scattered pillows were being cleared out.

At the centre, where students had fasted under stifling heat, 16 bedding sets remained on the floor. A handful of exhausted protesters still rested inside, while most had returned to their dormitories.

Md Abdullahil Elias Akhtar, director of student welfare, was seen overseeing the removal of chairs and tables from the centre.

Speaking to The Daily Star, he said, "The overall situation on campus is stable. Most students have returned to their halls. I urge students not to venture off-campus late at night."

He declined to comment on the current position of the teachers' association.

The protest, which erupted following a clash on February 18 between Kuet students and alleged members of the BNP-affiliated Chhatra Dal and outsiders, left over 100 students injured.

Accusing the administration of negligence and inaction, students began a campaign demanding the resignation of top officials.

On February 20, demonstrators issued a symbolic "red card" to political student organisations.

Just days later, a six-point memorandum was submitted to the interim government, calling for justice and structural reforms.

Tensions escalated when the university syndicate responded by vacating all dormitories and suspending 37 students. This further galvanised the movement, culminating in a hunger strike by 32 students starting April 21.

Yesterday, Education MInister Prof CR Abrar visited the campus in an effort to mediate.

Although students initially rejected his appeal to end the strike, they shared detailed grievances, including allegations of intimidation, the suspension of water and internet services in dorms, and politically motivated criminal charges.

The turning point came after a University Grants Commission (UGC) delegation met with KUET authorities.

At its 102nd emergency meeting, the university syndicate reversed the students' suspensions and ordered the reopening of student dormitories. However, students had already broken into the halls prior to the official directive.

A statement from the education ministry confirmed that an acting vice-chancellor will soon be appointed from among senior professors.

A search committee will be formed to select permanent replacements.

The campus atmosphere has since shifted significantly. Academic activities are set to resume in early May, and students are gradually returning to normal campus life.