Four teachers appointed against two vacant posts
The authorities of Mawlana Bhasani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) in Tangail appointed four teachers against two vacant positions, ignoring the recruitment circular and recommendations of academic planning committees.
The allegations were made after MBSTU Vice Chancellor Md Forhad Hossain appointed them through the 229th regent board meeting on January 23.
University sources said the authorities on May 25 last year issued a circular for recruiting "two assistant professors", along with other posts, in the pharmacy department and the biochemistry and molecular technology department.
However, the MBSTU authorities overlooked the circular and appointed four assistant professors, through the last regent board meeting with VC Forhad Hossain in the chair.
The Daily Star contacted several members of academic planning committees for these two departments and found that they also recommended one assistant professor in each department.
The allegations were made after MBSTU Vice Chancellor Md Forhad Hossain appointed them through the 229th regent board meeting on January 23.
Mohammod Johirul Islam, chairman of the biochemistry and molecular technology department, also a member of the academic planning committee, acknowledged the fact, but refused to reply to further queries, saying, "It's a matter of the higher authorities. The regent board and the vice chancellor are responsible for the recruitment process."
Chair of the pharmacy department Prof Mizanur Rahman said, "The university administration appointed two teachers in our department, although we recommended one appointment."
He said the selection board might have recommended recruiting two teachers, which was later approved by the regent board.
When asked if the authorities can do so, he refused to comment, saying, "The administration know better..."
The Daily Star obtained some documents, signed by the university registrar, which show that the selection board for the biochemistry department recommended the recruitment on October 25 last year. The board for the pharmacy department did the same on January 21, just a day before the regent board meeting.
Later on February 4, the university authorities issued them appointment letters.
"The recruitment was done violating the university act. We are embarrassed over the matter," said Prof Md Masuder Rahman, general secretary of MBSTU Teachers Association.
He said, "We met the VC on behalf of all teachers and asked why the authorities did so, ignoring the circular and the said departments' recommendations. They said it would not happen again," said the professor.
"We will hold a meeting and keep protesting the move," said Prof Masuder.
A regent board member, seeking anonymity, said, "When the proposal was placed, a few members questioned the decision and expressed dissatisfaction over it. The VC himself placed it for approval. But we kept asking why they would appoint four against two posts."
Quoting the VC, he said, "The decision was taken following the selection board's recommendation. We went on appointing additional teachers as we found more qualified candidates during the selection process."
"An external member in the meeting also raised questions...," the member told The Daily Star.
Registrar Prof Touhidul Islam refused to comment on the issue.
Contacted, VC Forhad Hossain said, "We should have followed the circular and appointed one teacher against one post..."
"There are inadequate teachers in those departments. As we got some qualified candidates, the external teachers in the selection board recommended appointing them. Besides, the teachers we appointed are more qualified than we expected. So, there was no scope of nepotism or any other irregularities in the appointments," the VC said.
When asked how the authorities appointed four teachers ignoring the circular and the departments' suggestions, Prof Forhad said, "The regent board will decide whether it's ethical or not. I don't want to comment on it."
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