The shake-up in Bangladesh's higher education system continues as pro-Awami trustees face growing challenges even in private universities.
With the recent fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, public universities are experiencing significant upheavals, including the resignation of vice-chancellors (VCs) from 16 public universities, including Dhaka University.
Private universities are not immune to this turmoil, with several VCs resigning and Awami League-affiliated trustees being expelled.
At the Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB), Prof Dr Tanweer Hasan and Proctor Prof Khasru Mohammad Salim have resigned, reportedly under pressure from student demands. Dr Hasan, who had been appointed in February 2021, stepped down after three and a half years. The university now has Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan and Prof Dr Asaduzzaman serving as acting VC and proctor, respectively.
Manarat International University has seen a reversal in governance, with its founding trustees reasserting control by removing existing board members appointed by the Ministry of Education, and allegedly strong influence by Dhaka North City Mayor Atiqul Islam and former Minister of State for Information Mohammad Ali Arafat. Now former government Secretary Muhammad Fazlur Rahman has been appointed as the new chairman of the board of trustees.
Similarly, Atish Dipankar University of Science & Technology (ADUST) and the International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) have reclaimed autonomy from Awami League-affiliated trustees. IIUC, which had been under the control of former MP Dr Abu Reza Mohammad Nezamuddin Nadwi since March 2021, has now seen a new board led by ANM Shamsul Islam.
Cox's Bazar International University has also experienced significant changes. Dr Golam Kibria Bhuiyan, the VC, resigned citing personal reasons. The university's founder, Md Mujibur Rahman, criticised the previous administration for political interference and corruption, which he claims had undermined the institution’s educational environment. He stated that the university was taken over by an illegal group led by Awami League leader Salah Uddin Ahmad, which led to widespread corruption and a deteriorating learning environment.
The ongoing reshuffling and political influence highlight a period of instability and transformation in Bangladesh's private higher education sector.
