How long will the Ruet stalemate drag on?
It is nothing new that public universities in Bangladesh are plagued with various irregularities that often hinder their academic and administrative activities. From the falling standard of education to nepotism and corruption in appointing teachers and staff, from unhealthy student politics to rampant seat trade by the BCL – the list of problems they face seems never-ending. The ongoing stalemate at the Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (Ruet) is a case in point.
According to a report by Prothom Alo, the university has been running without a regular VC for a year now, which has been hampering its activities. Many departments, for example, are failing to hold regular exams, while the promotion of more than a hundred teachers has also been stalled. Many teachers are unable to go outside the country even after receiving scholarships, while some are not getting NOCs from the administration to go oversees for emergency treatment.
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Reportedly, after the term of the last VC expired at the end of July last year, the Ministry of Education appointed the dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Humanities as acting VC. Although he handled the day-to-day responsibilities of a VC, he was not mandated to take care of the appointments, promotions, or take many major academic decisions. After he resigned on May 28 this year, in the face of a movement from teachers, the university has been literally limping along. Last month, the students waged a movement demanding the announcement of exam dates. Although they were assured by their teachers that the exam dates would be given soon, many departments have still not been able to do so because of the absence of department heads. The situation is as bad as it can get.
The question is, should a public university run like this, and for such a long time? What could be the reason for not appointing a VC in this vital university? What role are the education ministry and UGC playing to solve the crisis? What will happen to the thousands of students whose academic life is being hampered due to these administrative problems? How will the university address the issue of session jam that will follow after a year of such a stalemate? We urge the government to take the issue seriously and immediately appoint a VC at Ruet following proper procedures. It must not allow the crisis to linger anymore.
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