DU pro-VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman made acting VC

Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman has been made acting vice-chancellor of Dhaka University replacing Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique at the end of his tenure.

President Abdul Hamid, chancellor of the university, yesterday announced his temporary appointment for a smooth continuation of the academic and administrative activities, according to a circular of the education ministry.

The term of Prof Siddique, who was elected VC on August 25, 2013, ended on August 24 this year. Earlier, on January 17, 2009, he assumed the office as 27th VC on temporary appointment.

Prof Akhtaruzzaman joined the university as lecturer in the Department of Islamic History and Culture in 1990 and became professor in 2004. He was the chairman of the department from 2008 to 2011.

He also became chairman of the Department of Arabic in 2015 and was elected dean of the Faculty of Arts for 2014-2016.

He was elected general secretary in 2004, 2005 and 2006 while vice president in 2009 and 2011 of the Dhaka University Teachers' Association.

Prof Akhtaruzzaman completed his BA and MA with 1st position in Islamic History and Culture from Dhaka University and post-graduate diploma in Persian language at the university. He did his PhD in history from Aligarh Muslim University. He was also a Fulbright Scholar in Boston College, USA and British Council Visiting Scholar from the University of Birmingham, UK.

He was awarded the Justice Ibrahim Gold Medal for extraordinary research in 2008.

The appointment of DU VC came in discussion following the formation of a three-member VC panel at a senate meeting days before the ending of Prof Siddique's tenure. Siddique's name was on the top of the panel formed on July 29 and he was supposed to be re-elected.

However, a writ petition was filed with the High Court challenging the legality of the special meeting. The HC on July 24 stayed the process of holding the meeting scheduled for July 29 to elect the VC panel and forwarded the matter to its full bench.

The university authorities appealed against the stay order with the Appellate Division.

The SC stayed the functioning of the VC panel and allowed Prof Siddique to continue his duties as the VC until the disposal of the HC rule issued over legality of the senate meeting that formed the VC panel.

The hearing on the SC rule is scheduled for October 3.