Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has expelled 25 students from two departments on charges of ragging junior students.
The decision was taken at the university’s 237th syndicate meeting held last Thursday, confirmed Pro-Vice Chancellor Sajedul Karim.
He said the Proctorial Body had investigated the incidents and recommended punishments under different categories, which the syndicate later approved.
Among the expelled students, 13 are from the Department of Statistics (2022–23 academic session) and 12 from the Department of Economics (2022–23 session).
On November 27 last year, five senior female students from Statistics were found guilty of ragging 15 first-year female students at the campus Shaheed Minar. One student, Kazi Tasmia Haque Orisha, has been expelled for four semesters, while four others—Farzana Meherun Nuhya, Tasmiyah Alam Maisa, Lamia Ismail Jui, and Shraboni Dey Priya—have been permanently banned from university dormitories. Even if they are not currently residents, they will remain ineligible for hall seats in the future. They have also been asked to submit written undertakings pledging not to engage in ragging again.
In another incident on November 14 last year, 8 senior students of Statistics were accused of ragging 10–15 first-year students for nearly two and a half hours at a private residence near the university’s main gate. Of them, Sakhawat Hossain and Sagor Hossain have been expelled for two semesters, while six others—Shibraj Tripura, Jubayer Abdullah, Riyadus Salehin Riyan, Tanmoy Karmakar Sagor, Yazuddin Patowary, and Nafiz Imtiaz Rohan—have been permanently banned from dormitories or declared ineligible for hall seats in the future. They too must submit undertakings to the Proctorial Body.
Meanwhile, 12 students from the Economics Department (2022–23 session) faced disciplinary action for mentally harassing juniors at a mess. Among them, Fahim Munstassir has been permanently expelled, Junayed Mostakim Ayon expelled for four semesters, and 10 others for two semesters. The others are Pritom Saha, Sharifuzzaman Khan Atif, Sabit Abrar Tajim, Anik Ahmed, Suel Rana, Jubayer Hossain Talukder Jim, Nayeem Mia, Bikash Chandra Dhar, Miah Md. Saiyyedul Bashar Rifat, and Rajon Saha Sani.
University Proctor Mokhlesur Rahman reiterated the administration’s “zero tolerance” stance on ragging, saying, “New students often become traumatized and lose focus on academics due to ragging. Though these incidents happened some time ago, after a thorough investigation we recommended disciplinary action, and the administration approved it.”
