Initiative to Build a Permanent Campus at Feni University, Foundation Stone Laid on Thursday

As a result of long-standing student protests demanding a permanent campus and other facilities, the administration of Feni University has taken the initiative to construct a permanent campus.

In a press release signed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Md. Farhadul Islam Bhuiyan, it was stated that the foundation stone for the permanent campus will be laid today, Thursday (28 August), at 5:00 PM at the designated site near Mohammad Ali Bazar in Shershdi Union.

The press release also mentioned that a “Development Coordination Committee” has been formed to ensure the speedy implementation of the permanent campus construction. The committee is headed by Dr. A. S. T. M. Ullah Chowdhury Baizid, Member Secretary of the Board of Trustees. The 14-member committee includes teachers, officials, and student representatives.

Members of the committee include:

• Abdus Sattar, Member of the Board of Trustees
  
  

• Md. Nurun Newaz Selim, Senior Vice Chairman
  
  

• Abdur Raich Kaiser, Vice Chairman
  
  

• Mohammad Enayetullah, Treasurer
  
  

• Altaf Hossain, Member
  
  

• Md. Abul Kashem, Acting Vice-Chancellor
  
  

• Sohrab Hossain, Acting Treasurer
  
  

• Professor Md. Farhadul Islam Bhuiyan, Registrar
  
  

• Ali Akbar Siam, Chairman, Civil Engineering Department
  
  

• Jalal Ahmed, Maintenance Officer
  
  

• Student representatives: Kazi Al Amin (English Department), Mahmudul Hasan Chowdhury (Business Administration Department), and Saikat Hossain Sajib (Law Department)
  
  

Earlier, on 26 August, an emergency online meeting of the university’s Board of Trustees was held, chaired by Brigadier General (Retd.) Nasir Uddin Ahmed.

Notably, students had been carrying out an indefinite “shutdown” program since 18 August, demanding a permanent campus and other facilities. In response to the protests, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. M. Jamaluddin Ahmed resigned on the night of 20 August.

Last year, on 13 August, students had submitted 15 demands for development. Although assurances were given, implementation did not occur, prompting students to boycott classes and exams from 21 October and later continue their sit-in protests. The protests resumed on 18 February due to unfulfilled promises.

This initiative by Feni University is the outcome of the students’ long-term struggle and will strengthen the university’s infrastructural development through the construction of a permanent campus.