Almost all the public universities in the country are going to resume academic activities by this month and with it, higher educational institutions are set to reinvigorate vibrant campus life.
Although schools, colleges and madrasas across the country reopened on August 18 after more than a month of closure, the universities could not resume academic activities as there were no VCs, pro-VCs, treasurers and registrars at most of the institutions.
The appointment of VCs, pro-VCs, treasurers, registrars, proctors and provosts to most of the public universities has been completed. Six public universities got new VCs on Wednesday. All the universities of the country are now trying to resume academic activities as early as possible.
“Now our first priority is to resume full-scale academic activities by this month,” said Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan.
Although the new VC of Dhaka University was appointed on August 27, two pro-VCs were appointed later. Dr Mamun Ahmed, a professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, was appointed as new pro-vice-chancellor (academic) on September 12.
After completion of appointment in vital posts, the Dhaka University authorities decided to resume classes from September 22 or by this month. “A proposal was made to resume classes and hold exams between September 22 and 25. An emergency academic council meeting will be held to discuss the matter further and then the decision will be finalised in a syndicate meeting,” said Prof Dr Siddiqur Rahman Khan, dean of Arts Faculty of Dhaka University.
As other universities have already got VCs, pro-VCs and others, they are also planning to resume academic activities by this month.
The date for the cluster admission test of nine agricultural universities for the academic year 2023-24, which was postponed, has been announced. The admission test will be held on October 25. Acting VC of Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and president of the central admission committee Prof Dr. Md. Kamal confirmed the matter to the Bangladesh Post.
Meanwhile, new vice chancellors have been appointed to Chittagong University, Jagannath University (JnU), Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) and Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) in Tangail.
Muhammad Yeahia Akhter, a retired professor of political science department at Chittagong University, was appointed VC of the university, while Prof Rezaul Karim, a former faculty member of JnU’s social work department, has been appointed as the university’s new VC.
In Sylhet’s Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), AM Sarwaruddin Chowdhury, professor of Dhaka University’s applied chemistry and chemical engineering department, has been appointed as VC. On the other hand, Md Shajedul Karim, professor of SUST’s mathematics department has been made pro-VC, and Md Ismail Hossain, professor at the university's social work department, has been made SUST’s new treasurer.
On the other hand, Prof Md Showkat Ali from Dhaka University’s Applied Mathematics Department was made VC of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, while Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Mymensingh got Md Jahangir Alam, a professor from Dhaka University's sociology Department, as its new VC, and Md. Anwarul Azim Akhand, a professor of Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Dhaka University, was appointed as VC of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University in Tangail.
Last week, new VC and pro-VC were appointed to Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
Earlier on September 5, Rajshahi University and Jahangirnagar University got new VCs. The new VC of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) was appointed on September 1. New vice chancellor was also appointed to National University last month.
After taking charge, VCs and others are giving priority to resume classes and other academic activities. The Jahangirnagar University authority has decided to restart classes for its newly admitted undergraduate students of the 2023-24 academic session from September 30.
Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan held a meeting with the provost committee and the decision on resuming classes was taken in that meeting, said Mohammad Mahiuddin, acting director of the university's Public Relations Office.
There are about 60 public universities in the country. The vice-chancellors, pro-vice chancellors, treasurers, proctors, provosts and senior officials stepped down from their respective posts after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government on August 5 amid mass uprising.
Dr Muhammad Yunus-led interim government had taken the initiative to fill the vacant posts of vice-chancellors in the public universities in order to resume the academic activities.
Under partisan government, it was easier to find out vice-chancellors as they had been selected based on their partisan identities. The interim government is now appointing vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors and capable persons for other important posts based on their academic, administrative and personal qualities and dignities.
Although academic activities in schools, colleges and madrasas were closed in mid-July due to violence centring the student-led protests, classes at public universities were suspended since July 1 amid teachers strike in protest of a new pension scheme and violent clashes between quota protesters and police.
Since then honours first, second, third and fourth year and master’s examinations of all universities and colleges remain halted. University authorities also suspended the admission process of first-year honours students.
However, most major universities closed their gates on July 17, after at least six people died and thousand others injured in violent campus protests during student movement. After two days of intense clashes, the University Grants Commission (UGC) asked all universities to close until further instructions.
