VC claims innocence, edu ministry snubs it

Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah yesterday denied all findings of University Grants Commission's (UGC) recent report on his reported irregularities, saying it is biased and fabricated, and Education Minister Dipu Moni patronised and insisted on it.

Hours after, the education ministry denounced Prof Nazmul's statement, terming it fabricated, baseless and motivated.

At a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Prof Nazmul said, "I state without any hesitation that Education Minister Dipu Moni, for her personal animosity towards me, forced UGC to prepare the fabricated and biased report."

Prof Nazmul also claimed that he was a victim of local politics of Chandpur district.

"UGC member Muhammad Alamgir, who led the investigation team, is from Chandpur and served the minister's agenda by making me a scapegoat of corruption done by the previous VC," he said.

UGC had launched an investigation on 45 allegations against Prof Nazmul.

Recently, a probe body found irregularities surrounding construction of two 10-storey buildings and a mausoleum at the university. It recommended taking measures against those involved, including the VC.

In the press statement, the education minister said they have received the investigation report, on which a high-level meeting will be held soon at the ministry.

UGC TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER

UGC will investigate more allegations against the vice chancellor.

Higher-ups of UGC in Dhaka have already formed a body, although identities of all its members and convener could not be known. However, Md Jamal Uddin, senior assistant secretary of UGC's administration department, is the body's member secretary.

It is likely to visit the campus on March 14.

According to campus sources, seven BRUR teachers filed complaints with the education ministry in 2019, bringing various allegations against the vice chancellor, including irregularities, anomalies and corruption.

The seven are Gazi Majharul Anwar of physics department; HM Tariqul Islam, associate professor of chemistry department; Khairul Kabir, associate professor of finance and banking department; Mosiur Rahman and Komolesh Chandra Roy, associate professors of mathematics department, Sabbir Ahmed, assistant professor of public administration department; and Belal Uddin, assistant professor of economics department.

All seven got separate letters from UGC on Wednesday, which requested their cooperation during the body's visit, providing all relevant documents centring the allegations.

Among the 45 allegations, the VC's absence at campus; corruption, anomalies and violating UGC's guidelines centring workforce recruitment; discrimination in promoting officials; unauthorised occupation of several administrative posts; and irregularities in purchases are some notable ones.

Meanwhile, a faction of BRUR teachers declared the VC as "unwanted" at a press conference in Dhaka yesterday, protesting Prof Nazmul's remarks against UGC.

Under the banner of "Bangabandhu Parishad", it threatened to not allow the VC to be on campus until he apologises for his comments.

Mosiur Rahman, general secretary of Bangabandhu Parishad, BRUR, mentioning a series of reported corruptions and anomalies of Prof Nazmul, questioned how a VC remains absent at campus for so long.

The VC himself, violated many rules of the university, he said.

Other teachers of the parishad were also present.