Acting DU VC takes charge amid holidays

Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman started working as the acting vice-chancellor of Dhaka University yesterday when the university was on Eid-ul-Azha holidays.

Usually, the newly appointed VC takes over the charge from the outgoing VC. However, Prof Akhtaruzzaman took office yesterday morning without any ceremony.

Many teachers said the new VC could have waited until the university vacation ended and take charge from his predecessor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique.

However, they said Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury took office of the VC without any ceremony a day after the BNP assumed power in the 2001 parliamentary election.

They said it was not possible to have a ceremony this time as the pro-Awami League teachers of the university were sharply divided over the appointment of the new VC.

On Monday, President Abdul Hamid, chancellor of the university, appointed Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman temporarily.

Days before Prof Siddique's tenure as the VC was to end, a three-member VC panel was formed at a senate meeting on July 29 for appointing a new VC. Prof Siddique was on the panel.

However, a writ petition was filed with the High Court on July 23, challenging the legality of the senate meeting that formed the panel. The HC on July 24 stayed the process of holding the meeting scheduled for July 29 and forwarded the matter to its full bench.

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

The SC stayed the functioning of the VC panel but allowed Prof Siddique to continue his duties as the VC until the HC disposed of the petition.

The HC bench would hear the matter on October 3.

In another development, provosts of 11 residential halls and members of the proctorial body of the university tendered resignation to Prof Siddique on Tuesday.

In a single letter, they all mentioned that the appointment of the new VC was in violation of the Dhaka University Order 1973.

In a statement on Tuesday, 33 senate members also expressed surprise over the appointment of Prof Akhtaruzzaman, which they said was a clear violation of Dhaka University Order-1973 and interference into its autonomy.

They said Prof Siddique was supposed to carry on as vice-chancellor as per an Appellate Division bench rule on the appointment of a new vice-chancellor.