A six-member committee has been formed to resolve the ongoing dispute between graduate engineers and diploma engineers, said Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministries of Road Transport and Bridges and Railways.

He disclosed the decision after a meeting with representatives of both groups at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat on Wednesday.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Dr. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman were present at the meeting. Around 60 university teachers, polytechnic teachers, and heads of different organizations also attended.

Fouzul Kabir Khan said the committee will include representatives from both sides: one from the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), a teacher representing graduate engineers, and a representative from the protesting group; while from the diploma side, one from the Institution of Diploma Engineers, a teacher, and a representative from their movement.

They will advise us on how we can build a bridge between the two sides, he added.

He explained that graduate engineers have placed three demands, while diploma engineers have seven, many of which are contradictory. Accepting one side’s demands could displease the other, so the committee will act as a bridge to find a balanced solution.

The adviser said both sides pledged not to carry out further movements until the committee’s recommendations are submitted.

They have promised not to engage in any activities that may cause public suffering, he added.

On the debate over the use of professional titles, Fouzul Kabir Khan said three proposals were put forward: graduates using only “Engineer” before their names, diploma holders using “Diploma Engineer,” or alternatively, writing the designation after their names. The third proposal was that no prefix be used at all.

He further noted that employment shortages remain a key concern for engineers. The Ministry of Public Administration has been instructed to fill vacant posts in government offices.

We must also ensure that foreign contractors in projects such as bridges, power plants, and roads hire a certain proportion of Bangladeshi engineers. We emphasized increasing employment opportunities for our engineers, he said.