Farzana Islam new VC of JU

Bangladesh yesterday got its first female public university vice-chancellor (VC) through the appointment of Prof Farzana Islam at Jahangirnagar University (JU) for four years.
Through a gazette notification, President and JU Chancellor Abdul Hamid also appointed Prof Abul Hossain as the pro-VC. The two took charge through a ceremony at the administrative building.
Prof Farzana joined as an anthropology teacher in 1986 and also works with human rights organisations while Prof Abul Hossain as a physics teacher in 1982 and is also dean of the Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
Prof Farzana, Prof Abul Hossain and Prof Amir Hussain of economics were elected as the VC panel candidates by the JU senate on February 20 bagging 43, 42 and 33 votes respectively.
The new VC replaces Prof Anwar Hossain who quit on January 13 over allegations of irregularities in teachers' recruitment and misusing funds. On January 23, President Abdul Hamid had appointed Prof MA Matin as acting VC for one month and directed to arrange the election.
Prof Abul Hossain replaces Prof MA Matin (education) and Prof Afsar Ahmed (administration).
Earlier, a section of teachers demanded reconstituting the senate before the election saying most senate members were loyal to Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir who was removed in May 2012 over alleged irregularities in teachers' recruitment.