On Thursday, August 28, 2025, engineering students held a press conference at the Engineering Institution in Dhaka after a protest march toward the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) office. The students announced a nationwide shutdown of engineering universities until their three demands are met.
The demands include: abolishing the 33 percent promotion quota, opening technical grades to highly qualified candidates, and ensuring that only BSc graduates can use the title of “Engineer.”
The students stated that campus shutdowns will continue across the country until their demands are fulfilled. As part of their peaceful protests, they plan to hold divisional engineering assemblies, culminating in a national engineers’ assembly after a week of divisional gatherings. They also demanded appropriate punishment for those found guilty and warned of tougher actions if their demands are not met.
Mahmudur Rahman Shahid, an advisor to the Engineers’ Rights Council, criticized the lack of action against threats in Rangpur and attacks on students, stating that authorities and advisors have failed to address these issues. He emphasized that the Bangladesh National Qualifications Framework (BNQF) determines educational qualifications, aligning with global standards. He clarified that diploma holders cannot attain BSc-level qualifications (Level 7, mandatory for ninth-grade jobs) solely through work experience, as Level 6 (diploma) cannot be upgraded to Level 7 without proper academic credentials.
As part of their pre-announced “Long March to Dhaka” program, on Wednesday, August 27, students gathered at Shahbag’s main road around 11 a.m., causing traffic disruptions in Shahbag and surrounding areas. By 1:30 p.m., as they advanced toward the Yamuna, they faced police resistance near the Hotel InterContinental intersection. Clashes ensued, with police using sound grenades, tear gas, and water cannons. A police baton charge dispersed the students, injuring several, including journalists.
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