Can DU revive its lost glory?
The shameful incident of a senior teacher at Dhaka University assaulting his colleague is yet another reminder of how ignoble the institution has become. Newspaper reports say that they both belong to the pro-ruling party teachers' forum at the university.
In recent months, students and teachers of the university have caused a number of controversies. DU student buses, for example, were repeatedly found to be running on the wrong side of road, defying traffic rules.
Its previous vice-chancellor has been accused of crude favouritism while recruiting university teachers. And then when a group of students demanded that DUCSU elections be held before convening the senate meeting to appoint a new VC, another group of teachers and students physically assaulted the protesters. A few days ago, a number of DU teachers were accused of plagiarism.
Dhaka University is the most prestigious university in the country, yet its teachers seem to focus less on research and academic work and more on political activities.
In order to revive the former glory of this university, the authorities must restore the integrity of the faculty members. To do so, only the candidates with sizable research portfolio and genuine interest in pursuing their research agenda should be appointed as teachers.
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