Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan has formally stepped down as vice chancellor of Dhaka University, submitting his resignation letter twelve days after first announcing his intention to leave.
On Sunday morning, he handed over the official resignation to Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon at the Secretariat, who in turn presented him with a bouquet of flowers as a farewell gesture.
Prior to this, when Awami League formed the government back in 2009, Vice-Chancellor Syed Muhammed Abul Faiz submitted his resignation letter to the Ministry of Education on 11th January. Later on 15th January AAMS Arefin Siddique was appointed as the new VC.
On the question of whether the position of vice chancellor is political or merit-based, Niaz told media: "In the reality of Bangladesh, there's no denying that political considerations come into play."
He further added: "The days of running an administration on blind political loyalties are over. People are far more aware now. Decisions like seizing dormitories or reopening mass accommodation rooms aren't realistic — they risk leading to bloodshed."
When asked whether he had recommended anyone for the position of the new vice chancellor, he said: "No, I haven't recommended anyone. I've left the government completely free to decide. Normally, someone is proposed to serve in an acting capacity, I haven't even done that. I've simply submitted my resignation. It will take effect from the day the government formally accepts the letter. Until then, I'll continue in my role, after which I'll return to my department."
Who will be the next VC?
Niaz Ahmed Khan's departure leaves one of the country's most prestigious academic positions vacant. A successor will be appointed once the government formally accepts the resignation, and word is that an official notification from the Education Ministry could come any day this week.
Speculation is already running high on campus about who will fill the role. Five senior professors affiliated with the ruling party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are said to be in the running.
The frontrunner according to social media based Dhaka University platform is Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, currently serving as pro-vice chancellor (academic) at Dhaka University. He previously served as General Secretary of the university's teachers' association and leads the "Sada Dal," the faculty group aligned with the BNP. He has also served as as president of Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sanstha (Jasas), a BNP-affiliated cultural organization.
Also in contention is Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, a physicist who previously served as vice chancellor of Bangladesh Open University and currently heads the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB). He is the BNP's education affairs secretary as well.
Others whose names are circulating include Professor Dr ASM Amanullah of the Sociology department, who served as vice chancellor of the National University; Professor Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, dean of the Faculty of Arts; and Professor Dr Md Morshed Hasan Khan of the Marketing department, who is both the current convener of the Sada Dal and secretary-general of UTAB, as well as a member of BNP's executive committee.
Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan had called an emergency press conference on February 10th — two days before the thirteenth parliamentary election — where he indicated the time had come for him to step aside, saying the university had reached a stable footing and he felt his chapter of service was drawing to a natural close. He had, however, left the door open for a short extension if the government and stakeholders felt a sudden transition might create disruption.
Twelve days later, that transition is now underway. Khan was appointed as Dhaka University's 30th vice chancellor on August 26, 2024, shortly after the mass uprising that reshaped the country's political landscape earlier that month. At the time of his appointment, he had been serving as acting vice chancellor of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).