Chittagong University’s 36th Senate meeting is scheduled for August 8, with no student representatives taking part in the institution’s highest forum for decisions on legal and policy matters. The five distinguished educators nominated by the chancellor and the 24 currently serving members from the 33 teacher-representative seats are reported to be aligned with the Awami League.

Under Section 22 of the Chittagong University Act, 1973, the Senate is to include the vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellors, government officials, lawmakers, educators, research-body representatives, affiliated-college principals, teachers and student representatives. The last teacher-representative election was held on April 30, 2015, when the Yellow Panel won all 33 seats; the White Panel did not participate. Although elected members have three-year terms, previous representatives remain in office because no new election has been held.

The last election for 25 registered-graduate representatives was held in 1986, while no election has ever been held for five student representatives. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Al-Forkan said time was limited for teacher elections and five speaker-nominated lawmakers had been newly added. He said the administration failed to arrange student-representative elections during the Chaksu election, but plans to hold elections for categories requiring elected representation.