RU teachers want elected VC

Pro-BNP and pro-Jamaat-e-Islami teachers at Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday demanded judicial probe into the alleged irregularities and corruption of the university's vice chancellor.
They also demanded removal of Vice Chancellor Prof Abdus Sobhan and urged for a newly elected VC through the senate.
Stating their demands, the teachers vowed to boycott the university's eighth convocation which is scheduled to be held on December 9.
Addressing a press conference on the campus, the teachers, under the banner of “'Bangladesh Nationalist Teachers' Forum”, said the VC politicised the upcoming convocation and violated the University Act 1973 as he nominated the education minister to preside over the convocation instead of the chancellor or vice chancellor.
Speakers also alleged that the VC recruited some 301 teachers against the 186 advertised posts in the last four years which caused the university a deficit of Tk 50 crore.
Prof Dr Azhar Ali, convener of the forum, claimed that the VC failed to hold a single senate session since his appointment in 2009.
Prof Rafikul Islam, a leader of the forum, alleged that four students were killed by ruling party-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League activists as the VC had failed to ensure students' security.
They said they would form a human chain today to press home their demands and if those were not met they threatened to hold indefinite protest programmes.
Prof Afrauzzaman, Prof Azhar Uddin and Prof Mamunul Keramat addressed the programme among others.
Contacted, Prof Abdus Sobhan told reporters that protestors were trying to create anarchy to disrupt the war crimes trial. He also urged teachers to stay united and face off the protestors.