Tenure over, but Prof Kalimullah still ‘VC’

Although tenure of the vice-chancellor (VC) of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) is over, he is reportedly continuing to do official work of the post. Hence, a section of the university's teachers has served a legal notice to stop his activities as VC.

His tenure ended on May 31.

The teachers said neither Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah's tenure was extended nor was anyone new appointed to the post.

Meanwhile, teachers and officials put an attendance board, which shows for how many days Prof Kalimullah was present or absent since his joining on June 1, 2017.

He was present on campus for only 240 days out of 1,447.

Prof Matiur Rahman, convener of Adhikar Suraksha Parishad, a body comprising a section of BRUR's teachers and officials, claimed that Prof Kalimullah is still processing all official documents, despite the end of his term.

He is still working in the university's liaise office in Dhaka. Recently, the government ordered all universities to shut down their liaise office, but he ignored the order, he said.

Legal notices have been served on Prof Kalimullah and BRUR Treasurer Prof Hasibur Rashid.

Khandakar Rafiq Hussain, a Supreme Court lawyer, served the notice to Prof Kalimullah on Saturday, on behalf of Zahangir Alam, an engineer of BRUR, asking Prof Kalimullah not to introduce himself as VC anywhere.

The notice also asked him to refrain from signing any university document.

Moshiur Rahman, an assistant professor and general secretary of Bangabandhu Parishad of BRUR, served the notice to Prof Hasibur through the supreme court lawyer on Sunday. In the notice, it was stated why legal action should not be taken against him for financial corruption during his tenure.

The letter asked him to reply within three days.

Mahmudul Haque, an assistant professor of BRUR's journalism and mass communication department, said Prof Kalimullah appointed 25 officials in different posts, even though his tenure has expired. He even called a syndicate meeting, which is scheduled to be held on June 11 in Dhaka.

Prof Kalimullah denied the claims and refused to elaborate further on the issue.

Contacted, Prof Hasibur said he is yet to receive the notice and has no say in this regard.