HOW TO BE A VC
Although there are no specific rules for the appointment of vice-chancellors (VCs) in public universities, there appears to be an unofficial yet mandatory criterion—a teacher has to be affiliated with a pro-government teacher's panel to be nominated for the top post.
Or so the data suggests.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The Daily Star found that at least 39 out of 48 VCs of public universities have held posts in different pro-government teachers' wings during their career.
Although it could not be ascertained whether five other VCs held such posts, they were widely considered to be "pro-government"; two even held posts in different government agencies before being appointed as VC.
The Daily Star reached this conclusion based on an analysis of the CVs of VCs, interviews with campus sources, published media reports and various websites.
It was also found that the chances of appointment rose exponentially if one was tagged with the AL-backed Blue panel at the University of Dhaka (DU), which produced the highest number of VCs in the country.
At least 12 teachers associated with DU, who held posts with the Blue panel or were elected to different administrative posts after being nominated by the Blue panel, are now VCs of different universities.
Two more DU teachers are also holding the top posts in two other universities, although it could not be ascertained whether they held posts with the Blue panel.
Such affiliations can easily triumph over qualifications. For example, a PhD degree—once a mandatory requirement for being a professor—now appears optional for those with political affiliations.
Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), who has been facing a huge backlash over the past two weeks, has no PhD degree. Neither does Prof Abul Kashem of Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX).
Besides, eight VCs obtained PhDs from Bangladeshi universities, while nine VCs obtained their degrees from India, nine from Japan, seven from European countries, and the rest from other countries.
No one obtained a PhD from the United States, which has the highest number of universities in the top 100 list by the prestigious QS World University Rankings.
Controversial past not a hindrance
It appears that a teacher's controversial past at his/her respective university did not act as a deterrence when it came to their appointment as VC.
For example, SUST VC Prof Farid Uddin, who served as president of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) from 2013-16, was implicated in scandals over leakage of question papers for the admission test of D unit in 2015 and 2017.
He was the dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the time, and his office was directly involved in the process of supervising the tests.
Allegations of plagiarism were also raised against at least three articles published in the Social Science Review, when he was the editor of the publication.
Prof Mashiur Rahman, a teacher of the Sociology Department of DU, once faced allegations of plagiarism, but managed to dodge punitive action allegedly because of his affiliation with the Blue panel. He unsuccessfully contested the syndicate election from the Blue panel.
He was appointed as Pro-VC of National University in 2017 and later promoted to VC in 2021. His immediate predecessor—Prof Harun-or-Rashid—was DUTA's general secretary from the Blue panel.
Despite repeated attempts, Prof Farid and Prof Mashiur could not be reached for comments.
Blue is the most powerful colour
Six of the VCs, who hailed from DU, were involved with a faction of Blue panel formed to oppose the panel backed by the then DU VC Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, while one was affiliated with the pro-Siddique panel.
Among other VCs, Prof Rafique Ullah Khan of Sheikh Hasina University in Netrokona was convener of the Blue panel at DU. Prof Imdadul Hoque of Jagannath University was elected dean of the Biology faculty with the backing of the Blue panel in 2017.
Prof Akhtaruzzaman of DU also served as secretary and vice president of DUTA nominated by the panel.
Meanwhile, all public universities have pro-government and anti-government teacher panels under different names, even if they are not called the Blue or White panels.
Prof Matiar Rahman Howlader of Sylhet Agricultural University was a leader of Bangabandhu Krishijibi Parishad, a pro-AL professional body.
Prof Goutam Buddha Das of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University is a lifetime member of Bangabandhu Krishibid Parishad, another pro-AL professional body.
Prof Shahidur Rahman Khan of Khulna Agricultural University was the general secretary of Ganotantrik Shikkhok Forum, Bangladesh Agricultural University.
Prof Shahidur Rashid Bhuiyan, VC of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka, was elected president of its teachers' association after being nominated by the AL-backed forum.
Prof Giashuddin Miah, VC of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) in Gazipur, was president of Ganotantrik Shikkhok Parishad, the pro-AL teachers' panel.
Prof M Kamruzzaman, VC of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University in Dinajpur, was member secretary of BSMRAU's Shikkhok Parishad.
The rest, too, AL men
Although The Daily Star could not ascertain whether the VCs of five universities—Chandpur Science and Technology University (CSTU), Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX), Islamic University (IU) of Kushtia, and Noakhali University of Science and Technology (NUSC)—held posts in any pro-AL teachers' panels, most of them did have some form of affiliation with these bodies.
For instance, Prof Didar-ul-Alam of NUSC, originally a DU teacher, tried but failed to receive nomination from the Blue panel in 2017 for dean elections, sources said.
DU teacher Prof Sheikh Abdus Salam, now VC of IU, used to take part in meetings of the Blue panel and served as an acting dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of DU in 2009. He was director general of the Press Institute of Bangladesh in 1996 during the first tenure of the AL-led government.
BUTEX VC Prof Abul Kashem served as director general of the Directorate of Technical Education before being appointed to his current position.
The only VC to come from a non-Al background is that of Islamic Arabic University.
Prof Muhammad Ahsan Ullah was involved with the BNP-Jamaat-backed White panel in Chattogram University (CU) and even took part in an election of the teachers' association in 2009.
But later he was appointed VC of the university because of his "good rapport with a former top official of Prime Minister's Office", CU sources said.
Contacted, Prof Ahsan outright rejected his involvement with the White panel. "This is a blatant lie. I was not a very active member of [AL-backed] Yellow panel but I was always associated with the Yellow panel," he added.
Ousted VCs
During the 13-year tenure of this AL-led government, four VCs were forced to leave their posts following the protest of students or teachers.
Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir of Jahangirnagar University (JU) was forced to resign in 2012 when a student, Jobayer Ahmed, was killed by the cadres of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).
Then DU teacher Prof Anwar Hossain took charge but he too was forced to resign in January 2014 following months of agitation by a section of teachers and students on different issues including his inaction over assaults on a teacher by a BCL leader.
Only those who have sound academic background and can play the role of a guardian should be appointed as VC. Under no circumstances should they be partisan. The main job of a VC should be to create an enabling environment on campus in which all bodies, including student unions, are functional, and cultural activities and critical thinking can flourish. There should be exchange of ideas between teachers and students beyond the classroom. The process of social and cultural development is absent in our universities. Though four universities have their own laws, it's the government who ultimately picks the VC. That's a fact. Universities should be seen as academic institutions— otherwise nothing will change. The overall environment of universities needs an overhaul. I cannot even imagine universities that don't have student unions.
Prof Khondokar Nasiruddin of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University in Gopalganj was forced to resign in September 2019 amid student protests over his alleged involvement in irregularities and corruption.
In April 2019, SM Imamul Haque, VC of Barishal University, was sent on forced leave over similar allegations.
VCs who completed their tenure despite allegations
A probe committee of the Education Ministry in May 2021 found that the immediate past VC of Rajshahi University, M Abdus Sobhan, had violated the constitution, university law, and a government embargo by appointing 137 teachers and staffers on his last day at office as well as relaxing the rules to appoint his daughter and son-in-law as teachers at the university.
Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, former VC of Begum Rokeya University, hogged the headlines with his absence on the university campus. He was absent for a total of 1,207 days during his 1,447-day tenure.
Prof Kalimullah allegedly withdrew many allowances without any proper reason. A group of teachers and students published a 'white paper' containing 111 allegations, which he denied.
Former VC of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Prof Kamal Uddin Ahmed faced allegations of appointing teachers and officers in violation of rules.
No action was taken against any of them.
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