National University VC injured in attack by students demanding ‘auto pass’

The Vice-Chancellor of the National University has been injured in an attack by students demanding automatic pass for their examinations.

Professor Dr A S M Amanullah was assaulted outside the university’s administrative building in Gazipur on Wednesday afternoon, Bangla-language daily Samakal reports.

The Vice-Chancellor was entering the building when a group of students surrounded and attacked him, according to Mostafizur Rahman, acting Director of the Public Relations Office at the National University.

University officials said the students, from the 2022 undergraduate (pass) batch, have been protesting for several days, calling for an “auto pass” -- a system that would allow students to pass without sitting for exams.

They said the examinations were conducted in line with academic regulations, and 69 per cent of students passed.

Grace marks were also awarded in consideration of disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and political unrest, they added.

Students were additionally given the opportunity to apply for re-evaluation of their answer scripts. The final results are expected to be published later this month, the officials said.

Despite these measures, a small group of unsuccessful students, allegedly influenced by external actors, resumed the protests, according to the university officials.

Mostafizur Rahman stated that no automatic pass will be granted, and legal action is being considered in response to the attack on the Vice-Chancellor.