Free Premier University from 'control of Nowfel's family', return ownership to CCC: Students
They made the demand during a press conference held at the Abdul Khaleque Auditorium of the Chattogram Press Club on Friday (13 September)
A group of Premier University students have called for the return of the university's ownership to Chattogram City Corporation, alleging that the family of former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel had taken control of the institution.
They made the demand during a press conference held at the Abdul Khaleque Auditorium of the Chattogram Press Club on Friday (13 September).
"Former city mayor ABM Mahiuddin Chowdhury, the father of the former education minister and mastermind of mass killings [in Ctg] during Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, had transformed the Premier University into a family asset," in a written statement signed by the university students Bayaz Ullah Bayaz and Mushfiqur Hasan alleged.
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"In 2002, the university was established on the CCC land with a state investment of Tk42.93 crore," they added.
They demanded immediate action to reform the university's management and called for legal proceedings against those involved in alleged financial misconduct and corruption.
The students also urged for a new management board, a permanent campus construction after resolving land disputes, and adherence to the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act 2010 for the appointment of staff and faculty.
They emphasised transparency in recruitment processes and opposed plans to rehabilitate students involved in attacks on anti-discrimination movements within the university.
Additionally, they accused university officials and pro-government student organisations of intimidating and threatening dissenting students. The students reported instances of physical attacks on those advocating for the university's return to the city corporation control.
Criticism was directed at influential figures such as Awami League office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua and members of the S Alam Group, who were allegedly involved in the university's Board of Trustees. The students condemned what they described as political interference and vowed to resist further attempts to "loot" the university.
While the students did not target Premier University's Vice-Chancellor Anupam Sen personally, they had submitted a respectful resignation request, opposing the perceived injustices under his administration.
Concerns were also raised about the involvement of Chhatra League and Juba League members, aligned with the ruling party, in suppressing the protests. The students accused them of using ill-gotten funds to silence dissent and criticised Pankaj Biswas, director of Student Affairs, for alleged irregularities in his appointment.
Several students from the law and business administration departments, including Musfiq Al Masum, Bait Ullah Bayat, Asad, Mawaz, Hasan Iqbal, Belal, Farhadul Islam, and Nurul Amin, expressed their support for returning the university to the city corporation control.
