SUST
Sack V-C, SUST students urge President
The protesting students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) have written an open letter to President Abdul Hamid, demanding the immediate removal of the vice-chancellor.
A student read out the open letter outside the residence of SUST Vice-Chancellor Farid Uddin Ahmed on Monday morning. The President is the Chancellor of the university.
In their letter, the students alleged that the police charged batons and even fired rubber bullets to disperse the protesting students from near the IICT building on Monday at the behest of the university authorities.
As many as 40 students were injured in the police action, the letter said.
“It is an unprecedented that the students were assaulted by the police at the behest of the university administration, which is against the Constitution. Besides, the students don’t feel safe on the campus under the jurisdiction of the V-C,” it said.
Read: Torch procession held at RU in solidarity with students of SUST
They also urged the President to order the withdrawal of the additional police force from the campus. Besides, the students of SUST declared the V-C as ‘persona no grata’ on the university campus.
In their letter, the students also demanded the direct intervention of the President and installation of "an honest V-C" immediately after ensuring the resignation of the incumbent V-C.
Meanwhile, the students continued with their protest for the six consecutive day on Tuesday and rejected the notice of shutting down the university for an indefinite period and direction to leave the halls.
Currently the students are staying on the campus and locked the hall gates from inside.
Torch procession held at RU in solidarity with students of SUST
Leaders and activists of left leaning political organisations of Rajshahi University have staged a torch procession protesting the attack on the students at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).
The procession started from 'Amtala' behind the central library of the university on Monday at 7.30 pm. Later, at the end of a tour of the campus, a demonstration was held at the 'Zoha Chattar' of the university.
Leaders and activists expressed their full support to all the demands of SUST students including resignation of the Vice-Chancellor Fariduddin Ahmed.
Addressing the demonstration, Md. Shakil, joint convenor of 'Biplobi Chhatra Maitri' of the university said the students of SUST were attacked by police without hearing their logical demands.
"Many student were seriously injured. I strongly condemn such a heinous attack. I also fully support their demands," Shakil said.
READ: SUST: Students reject closure notice, declare VC 'unwanted' on campus
Shakila Khatun, president of Chhatra Union's RU branc, said: "The university is a place for free thought. But in SUST, the students who were agitating for logical demands have been attacked. This is not an isolated incident, This is the same picture across the country. A movement starts with a logical demand, and then the police force and student wing of the ruling party attacks them."
Besides, Ridom Shahriar, convenor of Samajtantrik Chhatra Front's RU unit, and Fuad Ratul, the organising secretary of the same organisations, also addressed the protest rally. Among them, many leaders and activists of the Left Alliance were present in the program.
READ: ‘Police action’ on SUST students: Protest rallies held at DU
Earlier on that day, students from different departments formed a human chain in front 'Shaheed Buddhijibi Smritifalak' of the university protesting the same issue.
SUST: Students reject closure notice, declare VC 'unwanted' on campus
Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) protesting the police action against them on Sunday today announced its Vice-Chancellor as unwanted on campus.
The students also rejected the notice of shutting the university for an indefinite period and direction to leave the halls during a meeting held at Gol Chattar in the campus at 1pm.
The students announced they will continue their protest staying on the campus.
Also read: SUST students now demanding VC’s resignation
From Monday morning, SUST students in protest staged demonstrations demanding the resignation of VC Farid Uddin Ahmed protesting the ‘police action on them’.
They started gathering at the campus although the university was declared closed for an indefinite period on Sunday following a clash between students and police.
‘Police action’ on SUST students: Protest rallies held at DU
Different student organisations staged demonstrations on Dhaka University campus on Monday protesting the ‘police action’ on the students of Shahajalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).
Pragatishil Student Jote, an alliance of left-leaning organisations, held a protest rally at the foot of anti-terrorism Raju memorial sculpture at around 12.30 pm to express their solidarity with of the protesting students of SUST.
Dipak Shil, General secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, said, " We observed the 50th anniversary of our independence but out universities are still under the clutches of culprits. Yesterday, SUST VC ordered police action on the students. Earlier, they were attacked by Chhatra League men too."
Also read: SUST students now demanding VC’s resignation
He condemned the attack on the students and demanded the removal of the SUST VC.
SUST shut after police-student clash, despite controversial provost's resignation
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has been forced to shut following a serious clash on campus between police and protesting students Sunday.
The decision was taken at an emergency syndicate meeting held on Sunday evening and students were asked to leave the residential halls by Monday 12 pm.
Meanwhile the provost of Begum Sirajunnesa Chowdhury Hall Zafrin Ahmed, the person at the centre of the disquiet prevailing on the campus, resigned from her post citing health issues. Dr Nazia Chowdhury of Physics department has been appointed in her place, said Farid Uddin Ahmed, Vice Chancellor of SUST.
Also read: SUST VC attacked and confined by protesting students
Removal of Zafrin Ahmed as provost of the residential hall for female students was one of the principal demands of students protesting on the campus.
SUST residential students demand hall provost's resignation
Residential students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) staged a protest on Thursday night, demanding the resignation of the Begum Sirajunnesa Chowdhury Hall provost.
Around 8pm, the students of the female dormitory called on provost Zafrin Ahmed Liza to apprise her of their problems about accommodation. But the students alleged that the hall provost misbehaved with them.
The agitated students immediately staged a protest at the hall and then outside the official residence of SUST Vice-Chancellor, demanding provost Zafrin’s resignation and public apology, as well as resolution of their long-standing issues.
Also read: Another Qwwali programme held at TSC to protest attack
Quinoa rice noodles keep diabetes under control: SUST study
Instant noodles made from quinoa rice work well in controlling diabetes, according to a research study done at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).
This relatively low-cost instant food can be a welcome alternative to noodles made from wheat, rice, potato, and sweet potato which contains high content of carbohydrates that lead to diabetes, hypertension, obesity and other complex diseases, according to the research done by a student as part of her PhD thesis.
The research aimed at finding low-cost healthier climate-adaptive alternatives to the popular carbohydrate-rich instant noodles.
Also read: Quinoa: Cultivating the 'mother of all grains'
The research was done by Meherunnahar, PhD Fellow of the Department of Food Engineering and Tea Technology (FET) supervised by Professor Dr Mozammel Haque of the same department.
SUST support to help students shun stress
The pandemic and the consequent curbs on social interactions have had a marked effect on the mental health of teens and youths worldwide.
With educational institutions -- schools, colleges and universities -- reopening in a staggered way across Bangladesh, some students are returning to physical classes, having experienced some level of stress and anxiety -- symptoms of depression.
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet is one of the few academic institutions in Bangladesh to have taken an innovative and positive stride in supporting the students' transition back to classrooms from remote learning.
Read Protecting Your Child’s Mental Health: 10 Tips for Parents
The varsity is offering a mental health service for its students through the 'SUST Moner Kotha' Facebook page, an online platform under the supervision of Director of Student Welfare Prof Zahir Uddin Ahmed and psychologist Fazilatunnesa Shapla.
The mental health service is available on demand for students across departments -- not to mention that confidentiality is the key to wooing the young minds.
What prompted the initiative
The unwanted deaths of Torabi Binte Haque and Asiya Akhtar, both students of SUST's Bangla department, Touhidul Alam Pratyay of Physics department, and Sabbir Ahmed of Chemistry department, during Covid have shaken the entire student community.
Read Mental Health: Types of Mental Illness and supporting someone with a mental health problem
Not to mention the suicides of Alamgir Kabir, a chemistry student of the university, and Md Mahfuzur Rahman, an assistant professor with the mechanical engineering department, during the pandemic.
Farzana Akhter, a second-year student of Bangla department, said, "We have sadly lost some people from SUST in the past one-and-a-half years. Five of them ended their own lives, including a teacher."
"But in order to stay mentally and physically healthy in times of crisis, student advisors and teachers, including a psychologist, have been holding various sessions and discussion programmes online. We hope to benefit from the initiative," she added.
Prabal Barua, a fourth-year economics student, said, “After a long hiatus, we have started physically attending classes. If we think about the mental state during this pandemic, it can be touted as miserable."
Also read: SUST offers free data to students
The initiative
Md Samiul Islam, dean of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University, said that besides academic studies, students should focus on outdoor sports. "Outdoor activities play an important role in shaping the mental health of students."
Echoing similar sentiments, Zaida Sharmin, the provost of a female dorm, said that the devastation of the pandemic has emerged as a huge challenge for all.
“We all have to work together patiently to deal with such stress. It is necessary to avail various initiatives of the counselling cell to cope with any mental health issue," she told UNB.
Also read: SUST entry test: Application process ends tonight
Fazilatunnesa, the university psychologist, said, that students should not shy away from availing the mental health service.
"Our doors are open for all students. We continue to provide mental healthcare counselling online and in person. We are also following up with the students taking counselling sessions," she said.
SUST Proctor Associate Prof Dr Alamgir Kabir said, "Our disciplinary committee is working on the overall safety of students. Many students who are currently returning to campus after this long closure have come to us with mental health issues. We are trying to help them."
Read World Mental Health Day: What effect does depression have on the performance of athletes?
Prof Zahir Uddin added, “We have launched this mental health service for students. We want every student to do well in their life -- be it in their academic career or mental wellness."
SUST Vice-Chancellor Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed said, "Our teachers are on the job. We have also instructed each and every department to ensure a sound mental health for all their students."
SUST buzzing again as dorms reopen
After nearly 19 months of Covid-forced closure, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) welcomed back its residential students to the dormitories with flowers and banners.
Only vaccinated final-year honours and master’s students were allowed to enter the dormitories after showing valid documents and proof of receiving at least one dose of a Covid vaccine.
Also:SUST to reopen dorms in phased manner from October 25
Students of other sessions will gradually be allowed to enter the residential halls in phases within the next few days.
SUST Vice Chancellor Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed welcomed back the students after joining a ceremony virtually in the television room of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall.
Provosts of the five SUST dormitories were present at the function.
VC Farid Uddin said,'' Health guidelines will be strictly maintained inside the dorms. We (authority) will be vigilant in ensuring that no one illegally occupies the dormitory seats.”
The UNB correspondent found students in a cheerful mood as they were waiting to enter their second home after a long hiatus.
Sajjad Bhuiyan, a first-year master's student of the university's Political Studies department, said, "After a long break, we have been able to enter our residential halls. The good management of the hall authorities has fascinated us.”
Physical classes are likely to begin in some departments from the first week of November. However, online classes will continue, university authorities said earlier.
Soon, 1,090 SUST students to get a shot in the arm
Some 1,090 resident students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) will soon get a shot in the arm.
The university authorities have published the first list of students who will get the jabs on priority basis as per the directives of the University Grants Commission (UGC), on the SUST website. These students will have to fill up the registration form on Surokkha App.
Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed, vice-chancellor of the university, said, “The government will provide Covid jabs to university students on priority basis. In the first phase, some 1.090 will get the shots. All our students will be eventually vaccinated."
The UGC on June 1 decided to vaccinate university students across Bangladesh at the earliest so that their dormitories could be reopened.
READ: University students to be vaccinated for reopening dorms: UGC
The decision was taken at a virtual meeting chaired by Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni. The vice-chancellors of public universities and officials of the Education Ministry and UGC took part in the meeting.
As per the instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, all the university students would be vaccinated on priority basis, starting with residential ones.
READ: CU postpones exams, Dhaka students to return home by university bus