Students from the Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Faculty of Animal Husbandry at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) confined Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and nearly 227 academic council members inside the Zainul Abedin Auditorium on Sunday, demanding the introduction of a single, unified degree programme.
The incident unfolded after an emergency meeting of the Academic Council, convened earlier in the day to address the students’ long-standing demand for academic reform. Students began gathering outside the auditorium around 11:00 am, anticipating a resolution in their favour.
However, when the Council announced its decision to retain three separate degree programmes, the BSc in Animal Husbandry, the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), and a limited combined degree, the students reacted with outrage, calling the outcome inadequate and out of touch with their aspirations.
In protest, a large group of students locked the auditorium doors, preventing the Vice-Chancellor and attending faculty members from leaving. As of 6:22 pm, they had been confined for over five hours.
The students firmly rejected the Council’s decision, insisting on the full implementation of a single combined degree for both faculties, arguing that the current system creates unnecessary division and inequality in academic and career opportunities.
“We will not accept the continuation of multiple degrees,” said one student leader, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Our demand is clear: one curriculum, one degree, one future. We will continue our protest until our demand is met.”
The standoff drew widespread attention across campus, with growing concerns for the safety and well-being of those trapped inside. Authorities attempted to mediate, but talks remained stalled as students maintained their position.
The Vice-Chancellor has not yet issued a public statement. However, university sources indicate that discussions are ongoing to resolve the impasse and ensure the safe release of all personnel.
The protest marks a significant escalation in months of student agitation for academic unification, a movement now testing the leadership of BAU’s administration and its commitment to reform.