Professor Dr. Muhammad Abdur Rashid, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Islamic Arabic University, has resigned from his position. He has decided to return to his previous role at the Islamic Studies Department of Dhaka University (DU).
On Thursday morning, August 15, Dr. Abdur Rashid submitted his resignation letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Education. Afterward, he immediately rejoined the Islamic Studies Department at Dhaka University.
Explaining his decision, Dr. Abdur Rashid said, "I am not in good health. Besides, if the teachers and students do not want me in this position, there is no reason to continue. So, I resigned following the proper procedures."
This resignation comes amid a series of recent resignations by Vice-Chancellors from various public universities in Bangladesh. Just yesterday, 19 Vice-Chancellors resigned due to growing pressure from the anti-discrimination student movement.
Among those who resigned recently are Soumitra Shekhar, Vice-Chancellor of Jatiya Kavi Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Trishal, Mymensingh, and Professor Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, VC of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET). Both stepped down last Wednesday.
Additionally, the Vice-Chancellors of four autonomous universities have also resigned. These include Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor ASM Maksud Kamal, Chittagong University Vice-Chancellor Abu Taher, Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Md. Nurul Alam, and Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Golam Sabbir Sattar.
The series of resignations reflects the ongoing unrest and demands for changes within the higher education system in Bangladesh.
