May 14, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 8, 1429

FAISALABAD, May 13: The National Textile University administration again closed the varsity on Tuesday for two weeks and asked the students to vacate the hostels.

This is for the second time the NTU management has closed the university following a protest drive launched by students.

Earlier, vice-chancellor Masood Biabani had ordered the suspension of all educational activities on April 8 for an indefinite period. The university had resumed its activities on April 22.

Sources said students came to know about the university’s closure when they reached the VC office on Tuesday for a routine protest launched by them from April 2. The administration pasted the closure notification silently at all notice boards, they said.

The notification reads: “It is notified for the information of all the students and staff members that the vice-chancellor has closed the university’s academic and all other official activities for 15 days. Furthermore, all the resident students are directed to vacate the hostels immediately.”

Students have been demanding the university's accreditation with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), disbandment of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, an organising body of the NTU, and resignation of the vice-chancellor.

The decision of the university’s closure infuriated the students who marched towards the residence of the sole NTU dean, Dr Zubair Ahmed, and sought clarification.

Sources said the dean was unable to reply and said the VC had issued the order. Students locked the main gates and did not allow any sort of transportation. They did no let any faculty member leave or enter the premises.

A student requesting anonymity said the university administration had telephoned all students on Friday last (May 9) and asked them to resume studies.

He said earlier the administration had sent letters at the residences of parents and apprised them about the strike. The administration had also sought parents’ immediate intervention to diffuse the situation. However, he said the administration again silently suspended all educational activities, which was unwise.

Sources said the suspension of educational activities was the outcome of the VC’s address to students on Monday at the main auditorium. Students had severely criticised the administration and the VC and asked the latter to resign immediately. The VC tried to apprise the students about the accreditation issue, but to no avail.

Hassan Aman, a student, said: “Why the administration secretly closed the university and asked students to vacate hostels, though boarders have deposited hefty dues.”