DU senate members stunned at new VC appointment

Dhaka University’s (DU) senate members have got stunned over a circular issued by the education ministry yesterday that announced temporary appointment of Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman as acting vice-chancellor of the university.  

“It is a clear violation of Dhaka University Order-1973 and interference to its autonomy,” the DU senate members said this in a joint statement issued this afternoon.

In a statement, they said Prof Arefin Siddique was supposed to carry on as vice-chancellor as per an Appellate Division bench rule on the appointment of new vice-chancellor.

Meanwhile, a circular issued by the education minister yesterday said, President Abdul Hamid, chancellor of the university, appointed Prof Akhtaruzzaman as acting vice-chancellor for "smooth continuation of the academic and administrative activities" as the tenure of Prof Siddique ended on August 24.

The appointment of DU VC came in discussion following the formation of a three-member VC panel at a senate meeting days before the ending of Prof Siddique's tenure.

Siddique's name was on the top of the panel formed on July 29 and he was supposed to be re-elected.

However, a writ petition was filed with the High Court challenging the legality of the special meeting.

The HC on July 24 stayed the process of holding the meeting scheduled for July 29 to elect the VC panel and forwarded the matter to its full bench.

The university authorities appealed against the stay order with the Appellate Division.

The SC stayed the functioning of the VC panel and allowed Prof Siddique to continue his duties as the VC until the disposal of the HC rule issued over legality of the senate meeting that formed the VC panel.

The hearing on the SC rule is scheduled for October 3.

Since the matter is pending before the court, the senate members said the circular of the appointment was embarrassing for the government, the court and also for the Dhaka University.

They said through the appointment, ignoring the decision of DU senate and clearly violating the Dhaka University Order 1973, the autonomy of the university is at stake and it will pave the way of multi-directional conspiracy against the senate to make it dysfunctional.

"We firmly believe that the historic university will be run according to the Dhaka University Order 1973 that was formulated by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This is our ethical and lawful responsibility to abide by the order," reads the statement, signed by around 33 senate members.