President will take decision about removal of SUST VC: Dipu Moni

Most of the demands of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology students will be met soon, Education Minister Dipu Moni today assured.

She said this while talking to the media this evening, our local correspondent reports.

Earlier in the day, she had a meeting with representatives of the student protesters. Deputy Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel was also present at the meeting.

After the meeting, Dipu Moni told reporters that they tried to understand the demands and issues placed by the students.

"Several of the proposals (placed by the students) have been accepted already. We hope that we can fulfill the rest."

Replying to a query, she said, "Removal of the vice-chancellor was among their demands. We discussed that issue too. We listened attentively about their statements and why they want that. We will inform the chancellor (President) about the matter and he will take the decision."

The meeting with the 11-member delegation started around 3:00 pm at Sylhet Circuit House.

Before the beginning of the meeting, Shahriar Abedin, spokesperson of the protesters, told reporters that the resignation of the vice-chancellor and resumption of class and examinations are going to be among the topics to be discussed with the education minister.

Other issues include withdrawal of lawsuits against the students, one-time financial assistance for seriously injured Sajal Kundu and ninth-grade job security, raise in budget for university research, change of examination system, the appointment of teachers based on PhD degree and demo class etc, he added.

They will also propose making former SUST teachers -- Professor Zafar Iqbal and Professor Yasmin Haque -- emeritus professors, the spokesperson also said.

SUST students Mohaiminul Bashar Raj, Yasir Sarkar, Nafisa Anjum, Sabbir Ahmed, Ashiq Hossain Maruf, Sabrina Shahrin Rashid, Sudipta Bhaskar, Amena Begum, Mir Rana and Jahedul Islam Apurbo are in the student delegation on behalf of all the students.