An indifferent VC till the last day in office

The University Grants Commission (UGC) last year found proof of irregularities committed by Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor M Abdus Sobhan regarding the appointment of some officials. 

Following the UGC's probe report on the matter, the education ministry dismissed appointments of all officials who were recruited violating rules and regulation. 

But that did not stop Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor from appointing about 100 officials on Thursday, which was the last day in his office.

Professor Dr Dil Afroza Begum, member of the UGC, told The Business Standard that the UGC's probe report recommended taking action against the Rajshahi University vice-chancellor for his irregularities including appointment violating the government rules.

"The UGC banned all ad-hoc basis recruitments, but Professor Sobhan violated the rules. The education ministry dismissed all the recruitment in 2020 but he did the same thing again," she said.

"We will cancel all his illegal appointments and request the ministry to take immediate action against him," she added.

Professor Dr Dil Afroza Begum further said, "The ministry sent 12 show cause letters to the Rajshahi University vice-chancellor and his accomplices, but they did not respond the letters."

This correspondent could not reach Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor M Abdus Sobhan by phone despite calling several times.

Sources said Assistant Registrars of the Rajshahi University Mamun-or-Rashid and Tarikul Islam came out from the vice-chancellor's office after completing the appointment process at 12pm.

Learning the matter, members of the Rajshahi Municipality unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League grabbed them and started beating them. Later, the security officials saved them and brought the situation under control. 

Professor M Abdus Sobhan left the campus at about 2:30PM on Thursday. 

Professor Sultan-ul-Islam, convener of Durnitibirodhi Shikkhakbrinda, said the vice-chancellor completed every step in the process of appointment but could not provide appointment letters due to protest.

The UGC sources said the commission had found proof of corruption allegations against Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr M Abdus Sobhan and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Choudhury M Zakaria and some others of the university.

In October last year, a three-member probe body led by UGC member Prof Dr Dil Afroza Begum submitted the main report to the education ministry, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for taking action in this regard.

The UGC report said due to the irregularities and nepotism, the image of the post of vice-chancellor has been tarnished.

The standard of education and research at the university were hampered instead of improving due to the activities of the vice-chancellor, said the probe committee.

The report said despite allegations of irregularities at the university, the vice-chancellor did not take any step which is against the Rajshahi University Act 1973.

He ignored the educational qualifications during the recruitment process which has put a negative impact on the university's image.

The vice-chancellor changed the policy to recruit teachers, officers and staff at the Rajshahi University, said the commission report. 

Citing the Rajshahi University Teachers Appointment Policy 2015, the probe committee also sought an order to cancel the appointment of 34 unqualified teachers who were appointed through nepotism and irregularities.

The UGC also recommended carrying out a probe against the movable and immovable wealth and sources of income of the Rajshahi University vice-chancellor.

Earlier, in January last year, 62 teachers and some job seekers submitted an allegation letter to the Prime Minister's Office, the education ministry, the UGC and the Anti-Corruption Commission against Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Prof M Abdus Sobhan and Pro- Vice-Chancellor Prof Choudhury M Zakaria.

Following the allegation, the ministry formed a probe committee comprising three members but the vice-chancellor did not take part in the mass hearing of the committee.

Noted Educationist Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam told TBS the government chose the wrong person for the post of vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University on the basis of his political allegiance.

"A real academician should be appointed as vice-chancellor of any public university," he said.

The education ministry on Thursday formed a probe committee to investigate the allegation of violation of the recruitment policy of Rajshahi University.

The committee has been asked the members to submit their report by seven working days.

UGC member Professor Md Alamgir will lead the committee while UGC member Professor D Abu Taher, Joint Secretary (Secondary and Higher Education Division) Md Jakir Hossain and Director Public University division of the University Grants Commission will act as its members.

The ministry in its letter said they postponed all the appointments on 10 december 2020 after getting proof of allegations against Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Sobhan. So, there is no scope to appoint anyone.