Public universities across the country are in a complete shambles following the resignation of their vice-chancellors, pro-vice chancellors and other high administrative officials.
Although the universities reopened on Sunday, academic activities are yet to go into full operation, putting the academic life of students into uncertainty, sources said.
Prof Hafiza Khatun, Vice-Chancellor of Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST), tendered her resignation on Wednesday. Earlier, proctor, pro-vice chancellor, treasurer and student adviser of the university resigned.
With this, vice-chancellors of 24 public universities, including Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University and Chittagong University, have resigned since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.
Also, pro-vice chancellors, treasurers, registrars, proctors, and other key officials of many these universities also resigned, making standstill at academic and administrative activities. A total of 19 administrative officials, including vice-chancellor and proctor of the Barisal University, tendered their resignation on Tuesday amid the student protests.
Besides, the VC and Pro-VC of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) in Gopalganj and VC of Khulna University resigned on the same day. The resignation has led to disruption in university operations and raised security concerns.
Other public universities whose vice-chancellor have resigned are Jagannath University, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Begum Rokeya University, Islamic University, Comilla University, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Sheikh Hasina University, Bangamata Sheikh Fojilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology.
On August 15, the President accepted the resignation of vice-chancellors of 10 public universities and six science and technology universities along with five pro vice-chancellors and three treasurers.
The resignation of vice-chancellors came amid student protests and for having political affiliation, according to sources concerned.
The mass resignation of VCs and other key administrative officials has put public universities across the country into complete disarray, seriously affecting academic life of students.
Education adviser to the interim government Wahiduddin Mahmud at a briefing at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday said that universities will not reopen right now.
In reply to a question from the journalists, he said that it will not be wise to open the public universities of the country right now until vice-chancellors are appointed.
About appointment of VCs, he said, “We are gathering data from the professors of different universities. Efforts are underway to select VCs from among those who will meet the necessary criterion including, educational background, character, and administrative abilities.”
