Jahangirnagar University has been running with the top posts remaining vacant for two weeks, thus hampering all administrative and academic affairs.
Students linked to the anti-discriminatory movement that led an uprising to overthrow the government have urged the President to fill the positions as soon as possible so that the administrative activities of the university are not hampered.
The immediate past vice chancellor, Prof Dr Md Nurul Alam, resigned from his post on August 7, two days after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government.
In the meantime, the pro-VC for administrative affairs, Professor Sheikh Manzurul Huq, and treasurer Professor Rasheda Akhter also resigned from their respective posts on Monday in the face of student protests demanding their resignations.
Rumours are already rife regarding the university's next possible VC.
The names of five current and several retired teachers are at the center of discussion. Most of them are linked to the BNP. However, a section of the teachers and students said that they do not want retirees as the VC.
What does the law say?
According to Section 11(1) of the Jahangirnagar University Act, 1973, a panel of three members is elected by the Senate for the post of VC. From that panel, the President appoints a person for a term of four years for the post. Besides, as per Section 11(2) of the Act, if the post of VC is vacant due to leave, illness, resignation or any other reason, the President, who is also the Chancellor, will make arrangements to fill the position.
Meanwhile, following the resignation of the top administrators of the university, this equation has now changed. According to Section 16 of the Act, the Secretary to the Senate is the Registrar of the university. Besides, he is also the Returning Officer of the panel selection body. The same person is responsible for making all necessary arrangements for the nomination and selection ceremony.
However, as the Registrar has resigned, there is currently no permanent or acting or contractual person in this post. Experts say that there is no chance of selecting the VC panel at the moment. No other way will be legal in this regard.
The names of five teachers are at the center of discussion for the new VC. Since there is no opportunity for the selection of the VC panel, the President and Chancellor of the university and the interim government will appoint whomever they deem fit. However, the choice of the protesting students will prevail in the making of such a decision.
The university teachers in discussion are Prof Sohail Ahmed of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Prof Kamrul Ahsan of the Department of Philosophy, Prof Golam Rabbani of the Department of History, Prof Mohammad Mafruhi Sattar of the Department of Pharmacy and Prof Shamsul Alam of the Department of Government and Politics.
Among them, only Professor Sohail Ahmed is known as a pro-Awami League teacher. Besides, Professor Golam Rabbani is very popular among the teachers and students of the university as an impartial person. All but two of them are known as pro-BNP teachers.
Prof Kamrul Ahsan serves as the president of JU unit Nationalist Teachers’ Forum. During the anti-quota movement, he gained the trust of the students by actively supporting the students during demonstrations and on TV talk shows. Apart from politics, he is also well-known as an academic and media personality.
Prof Sohail is currently serving as vice president of the University Teachers’ Association. Before this, he held important positions in various public and private institutions.
Prof Golam Rabbani holds BA (Hons), MA, MPhil in History from JU and PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is well versed in the economic history of East Bengal (Medieval), the economic history of Bangladesh, the history of civilization, the rise of Bangladesh and South Asian Affairs.
Prof Mafruhi Sattar was an elected member of the Senate and syndicate body of the university. Besides, he has performed various administrative duties, including at the university. Also, he was seen as active during the student movement.
Prof Shamsul Alam has held various positions, including as chairman of the Department of Government and Politics and chairman of the Higher Education Committee. Besides, he has published numerous research articles.
Also in the discussion are Prof Jamal Uddin Runu of the Department of Environmental Science, Prof Abdur Rab, dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Prof Nurul Islam of the Department of Geography and Environment and Prof Shamima Sultana of the Department of Bangla.
Prof Jamal Uddin has held various posts, including as president of the Department of Environmental Science, and was an elected member of the Senate. He has published 19 research papers. Besides, he has performed duties at various social and cultural organizations.
Prof Md Abdur Rab was an elected member of the Senate and Syndicate of the university. He has worked as an Editorial Board Member of the JU Journal of Sciences. He was a committee member and editor of the Journal of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences.
Prof Nurul Islam holds a PhD from the University of Nottingham, UK. He teaches courses on hydrology, channel form and dynamics, floodplain and watershed management, geographic information system (GIS) research methods, and disaster management.
Prof Shamima, who is associated with the pro-BNP teachers, came to the limelight after she took down the picture of the then prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, from her office. She has published 14 research articles and a book.
However, experts say whoever takes over as the next VC will have to work in coordination with everyone concerned.
No retired professors as VC
Meanwhile, the names of some retired professors have also been discussed. Notable among them are Prof Anu Mohammad and Prof Amir Hossain of the Department of Economics. However, the students and teachers do not want retired professors as their next VC.
Prof Lutful Elahi said on social media: "The universities have been paralyzed by placing retired people in the posts of the VC. Those VCs have no sense of responsibility towards the university because they will not return to the faculty after their term expires. As a result, they focus on corruption, looting, and recruitment trade.”
Roknuzzaman Kafi, a student of the Department of Geography and Environment, said: “I want a student-friendly guardian, who will give utmost importance to the opinion of ordinary students. We want someone who can give us a beautiful campus that is modern, safe and research-friendly.”
Tawhid Siam, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at JU, said: “We want someone who will uphold the spirit of this popular uprising. Besides, whoever becomes our guardian, he or she must be an efficient administrator and leader. I expect that the new VC will work on improving the quality of education and research at the university.