28 public univs without VCs amid academic and administrative stagnation

According to the Ministry of Education, VCs, pro-VCs, and registrars were appointed at several universities, including Dhaka University (DU), Jahangirnagar University, and Rajshahi University, in the first week of September

More than a month after the interim government took over, most public universities in the country have yet to resume normal activities.

Of the country’s 55 autonomous and public universities, 28 remain without vice-chancellors (VCs), disrupting both administrative and academic activities.

According to the Ministry of Education, VCs, pro-VCs, and registrars were appointed at several universities, including Dhaka University (DU), Jahangirnagar University, and Rajshahi University, in the first week of September. 

Most recently on 12 September, vice-chancellors were appointed at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and Bangladesh Open University.

Mohammad Jaminur Rahman, director of the Public University Management Division at the University Grants Commission, told The Business Standard that 38 VCs had resigned after 5 August. 

“While new VCs have been appointed at 10 universities, 28 are still functioning without VCs. Of the four autonomous universities, only Chittagong University remains without a vice-chancellor,” he said.

Nearly 15 days following the VC appointments, DU has decided to resume academic activities on 22 September. 

Speaking to TBS, Dr Syed Manzoorul Islam, an educationist and former DU professor, said the education sector hasn’t faced major setbacks in the last two and a half months but is running behind schedule. 

“Efforts to restart administrative operations are ongoing, but recent floods have slowed progress. Student halls and campus repairs are also needed,” he added.

Prof Manzoorul Islam hoped universities like DU could recover within a month once classes start, but rural universities may take longer. He urged the UGC to step up monitoring, and teachers are ready to make up for lost time with extra hours. 

Prof Dr M Kaykobad of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at BUET said the new administration might initially follow the existing system, but gradual changes are essential. 

“It’s easy to break a system, but hard to rebuild one. Now is the time to create a new one.” 

Prof ABM Obaidul Islam has been appointed VC of Open University, while Dr Mamun Ahmed has been appointed Pro-VC (Academic) of Dhaka University.

At BUET, Prof Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman has been appointed Vice-Chancellor, while Prof. Dr Abdul Hasib Chowdhury of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering has taken over as Pro-VC.

Meanwhile, students of Chittagong University locked the main gate of the university on Thursday afternoon, protesting the lack of a VC. 

Abdur Rahman, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at CU, said that the previous VC resigned over a month ago, and while other universities have resumed classes and reopened halls, CU remains desolate. 

“It feels like no one resides here, and there is no education,” he said, demanding the quick appointment of a capable, student-friendly VC. 

In addition to the VCs, many pro-VCs and treasurers also resigned, further hampering operations. 

On 29 August, the UGC advised that senior professors temporarily manage financial and administrative activities at universities until new VCs are appointed. The universities have since been trying to maintain routine operations under the signatures of senior deans and professors.

Amirul Islam, acting comptroller of Chittagong University, said while salaries are being disbursed regularly, other financial and administrative tasks are not proceeding smoothly due to the absence of key leadership. 

A similar situation exists at Jashore University of Science and Technology, according to former treasurer Anisur Rahman.

An official at Pabna University of Science and Technology said financial and routine administrative tasks have been disrupted since the resignation of the VC, pro-VC, and treasurer. 

Khaleda Akter, additional secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, said, “The appointment process for vacant posts at universities is ongoing and several appointments were made even today (Thursday).” 

In his recent address to the nation, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said efforts to fill top university administrative positions and restore educational activities are progressing rapidly. 

Prof Yunus also mentioned that steps have been taken to curb political interference in private educational institutions’ governing boards. He added that both public and private universities are now moving towards a new beginning.

It may be mentioned that public university teachers began an indefinite strike on 16 July over the new pension scheme, Prottoy. On 17 July, educational institutions nationwide were closed indefinitely due to protests over quota reform.

After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, the interim government ordered the reopening of institutions on 18 August, but full academic activities have yet to resume. Classes and exams had been suspended since 1 July, extending the period of disruption to 70 days.