Students block Dhaka-Chittagong highway

In Sitakunda, Chattogram, students from the Institute of Health Technology (IHT) took to the streets on Sunday by blocking the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. 

More than a hundred students marched from their campus to raise their voices for important changes they want to see in their education.

Around 11 a.m., the students stopped traffic and held a meeting to present their six main demands:

1. Create an independent department for their studies.

2. Give tenth-grade status to those with diplomas.

3. Give ninth-grade status to students with bachelor‍‍`s degrees.

4. Upgrade the Dhaka IHT to a university called Bangladesh University of Medical Science and Technology.

5. Establish a Medical Technology Council to issue professional licenses.

6. Improve the overall quality of education and resources at the institute.

During their protest, students carried colorful banners and used umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun. 

They started with a march before gathering for their meeting, which caused traffic to come to a standstill on both sides of the highway.

Nupur Kanti Das, the principal of IHT, said the students have been advocating for these demands for a long time. 

After about half an hour, they agreed to clear the highway when the police requested them to do so.

Principal Das explained that the college has limited power to make these changes happen. 

Earlier, on October 20, the students submitted a formal letter outlining their demands to the chief advisor, and this was sent to the Department of Health for further consideration.