Education Minister Dipu Moni on Friday talked to the agitating students of Sylhet's Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in an effort to resolve their issue, reports UNB.
She talked to the students over the phone at around 3.10pm.
She said that she wants a peaceful solution to the issue as soon as possible and is willing to talk to students directly if they want.
The protesting students have also expressed interest in meeting the minister. However, in the afternoon the students said they would continue the protest even if the campus is declared closed.
Earlier, a group of Awami League leaders led by its central committee's organising secretary Shafiul Alam Chowdhury spoke separately with students and vice-chancellor (VC) professor Farid Uddin regarding the issue.
The protesting students have vowed not to budge from their stance until the VC steps down. So far 13 of the 24 SUST students on hunger strike have been hospitalised.
On Friday night, the protesting students also brought out a torch rally and burnt the effigy of the VC on the campus.
On Friday, a delegation of teachers met the students and requested them to withdraw the strike. But the students didn't respond to their request.
