Barishal University has been virtually shut down since April 21 due to an ongoing teachers’ movement over promotion complexities. On Monday, protesting teachers declared Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Toufiq Alam ‘unwelcome’ and enforced a full shutdown, locking administrative offices and halting classes and exams. Several faculty members resigned from administrative duties, raising fears of severe session delays and student suffering.

The dispute centers on promotion policies for 24 teachers. Differences have emerged among faculty members, with some seeking separate policies for professor-level promotions while others support a unified framework. Earlier, a tripartite meeting on April 30 had decided to resolve the issue through a syndicate meeting on May 8, but teachers allege that an unscheduled meeting on May 9 ignored majority opinions. The Vice-Chancellor denied the allegations, stating that decisions were made in the presence of teacher representatives and that promotion regulations would be finalized within two months.

He warned that continued disruption of administrative work and pressure on officials could lead to legal action, emphasizing that problems should be resolved through dialogue rather than harming students.