Students of the department of Physical Education and Sports Science at the University of Chittagong (CU) went on a hunger strike demanding resolution of session backlog and publication of academic calendar.
The demonstration began in front of the university's Dr. A. R. Mallik administrative building at 10:30 AM on Saturday.
Mohammad Arafat Hossain, a student of the 2018–19 session, said: “There is a severe lack of a student-friendly academic environment in our department. Even our basic academic rights are being denied. We have been compelled to go on this hunger strike. Our demands are clear — an end to the session backlogs and the immediate publication of an academic calendar.”
Shruti Raj Chowdhury from the 2022–23 session added: “Although ten batches have been admitted to the department since its inception, only three have managed to graduate. We have repeatedly protested but received no effective solution. We are now seeking swift and meaningful action.”
Waliullah, a student from the 2019–20 session said: “Since the Covid-19 pandemic, our academic activities have slowed to a near halt. We were unable to take any exams in 2021. While our peers have moved on to their master’s degrees, we are still stuck in our third year. Ending this backlog and establishing a fixed academic calendar is our rightful demand.”
The Department of Physical Education and Sports Science was introduced in 2015 under the newly established Faculty of Physical Education at CU. Although student enrollment began with the 2015–16 academic year and continued up to 2024–25, only three batches have so far completed their undergraduate degrees.
Students claim chronic mismanagement and the absence of proper academic planning have led to prolonged suffering for all batches. The strikers have vowed to continue their hunger strike until their demands are met.
