Faiz to remain DU VC until appointment of new one

The tenure of incumbent Dhaka University (DU) Vice-chancellor (VC) Prof SMA Faiz has been extended until the appointment of a new VC.
An education ministry notification signed by Deputy Secretary of the ministry Mohammad Raichh Uddin reached the DU register building yesterday informing the university authorities of the government decision.
“In order to carry out the academic and administrative tasks of the Dhaka University properly, the president, also the chancellor of the university, gives the responsibility of the university's vice-chancellor to the incumbent vice-chancellor temporarily as per section 11(2) of the Dhaka University Ordinance 1973. It will take effect from May 31,” read the ministry circular.
The tenure of Prof Faiz, appointed as the VC of Dhaka University on May 30, 2004, during the rule of BNP-led coalition government, will expire on May 30.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) Prof Anwar Hossain expressed his frustration over the government decision.
“When the present interim government took over power, we hoped it would free the university from partisan influence and cancel political appointments made during the rule of BNP-led coalition government. Instead of doing so, it has extended the tenure of a person who was appointed politically,” he said while talking to The Daily Star.
“If the government wants to appoint a new vice-chancellor, it has to follow the Dhaka University Ordinance 1973, according to which the chancellor will appoint the vice-chancellor from a panel of three candidates elected by the university senate,” a high official of the university said wishing anonymity.
The government might have made the decision fearing untoward incidents on the university campus centring the appointment of a new VC as the two major groups of DU teachers -- Awami League backed 'Blue Panel' and BNP-Jamaat backed 'White Panel' -- would field their candidates for the post, he added.
As per the Dhaka University Ordinance 1973, the chancellor of the university appoints the vice-chancellor for four years from a panel of three candidates elected by the DU senate.