Following the fall of the Awami-League government, candidates have started a fierce competition for the Vice-Chancellor post at the Islamic University(IU), in Kushtia. Discussions about the candidates are peak on campus and some candidates face serious allegations. University officials have raised concerns about their past activities.
So far, seven teachers have been named as contenders for the 14th Vice-Chancellor of IU. They are- Professor Dr Amtaj Hossain of Islamic History and Culture, Professor Dr AKM Motinur Rahman of Public Administration, Professor Dr Alinoor Rahman of Management, Professor Dr Mizanoor Rahman of Accounting and Information Systems, Professor Dr Nozibul Haque of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Professor Dr Tozammel Hossain of Arabic Language and Literature, and Professor Dr Yaqub Ali of Al-Quran and Islamic Studies department respectively.
All those contenders are members of BNP-affiliated teachers’ organizations. Some of these teachers have been accused of factionalism within their party, public intoxication, nudity, involvement in sexual misconduct, plagiarizing books, obtaining fake PhD degrees, embezzlement of funds, and continuing connection with Awami League teacher leaders during the Awami government to gain benefits.
Meanwhile, students do not want any teacher as the IUs’ Vice-Chancellor who is involved in serious allegations of recruitment irregularities, sexual misconduct, and embezzlement. A Vice-Chancellor who should be not a party or political figure but an expert in education and administration, and student-friendly.’
SM Sweet, IU’s anti-discrimination student movement coordinator, said, ‘Certainly, a competent and clean-image teacher should be appointed Vice-Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor should be for the students, not an implementer of any party’s agenda, and can understand the aspirations of the students and work for the welfare of the students.’
