DU forms VC panel without senate vote amid protests

The Dhaka University (DU) Senate on Saturday nominated a three-member panel of candidates for the post of vice-chancellor, amid demonstrations by a group of students and objections from a section of pro-Awami League teachers, or the Blue Panel. Of the 105 senators, only 48 were present when the panel was nominated. As per the DU Order, the president of the country, who is the ex-officio chancellor, will select one of the three as the vice-chancellor. Incumbent VC AAMS Arefin Siddique, Treasurer Prof Kamal Uddin and former Blue panel convener Prof Abdul Aziz are in the panel, said a press release. Senators endorsed the names in a special meeting. The names were proposed by meeting convener Prof Shibli Rubayat-Ul Islam and seconded by Prof Rahmat Ullah, said senate member Prof AJM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan. In the meeting, 48 of the 55 senate members were present and the panel was finalised as there were no other panel proposals, Prof Bhuiyan said. Of the 48 senators who were present, 33 were teachers. The tenure of VC Prof Arefin will end on August 24. He is eligible for a second term. Left-leaning student organisations demonstrated in front of the Senate building during the meeting around 3:30pm, demanding that the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election be held. The senate by law must also include 25 graduates and five students from DUCSU, as well as 20 representatives from various affiliated colleges and research bodies. These 50 seats in the senate are currently empty. Several teachers and registered graduates tried to block this process by filing a writ with the High Court, but it moved forward after an Appellate Division chamber judge withdrew the High Court's stay order. The full bench of the Appellate Division will hear the writ on Sunday.