Partisan link still rules the game

The interim government has appointed new vice-chancellors and other top officials to public universities mostly on political considerations -- something that echoes the practices of successive governments.

At least 30 VCs out of 47, along with 18 Pro-VCs and treasurers from 40 appointments, have connections to pro-BNP and pro-Jamaat teachers' organisations.

"It is apparent that the government made these appointments in the face of continuous lobbying and pressures from the political parties," said Samina Lutfa, associate professor at Dhaka University.

As there were experienced individuals in the advisory council, people had high hopes about positive changes, particularly in educational institutions that have been struggling due to politicisation.

"As this government came to power with the mandate of students and citizens, we expected it to take bold steps -- beyond lobbying and pressure -- to bring real changes to institutions. Unfortunately, we have yet to see such initiatives," Samina said.

THE APPOINTMENTS

The government appointed Prof Kamrul Ahsan as the new VC of Jahangirnagar University. Before his appointment, he was the president of the pro-BNP teachers' organisation Jatiyatabadi Shikkhak Forum at JU.

His colleague Prof Nurul Islam, who is the general secretary of the same committee, has been appointed Pro-VC of the National University.

Rashedul Islam, general secretary of the pro-BNP teachers' forum at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, has been appointed VC of Kurigram Agricultural University.

M Yeaqub Ali, member of the pro-BNP teachers' forum, has been appointed as the pro-VC of Islamic University.

Leaders of the DU pro-BNP teachers' panel have been awarded top positions in several other universities.

For example, DU Professor ABM Obaidul Islam, former convener of the BNP-backed teachers' panel, has been appointed VC of Bangladesh Open University. The current convener of the forum, Professor Lutfor Rahman, was appointed Pro-VC of the National University.

The newly appointed VC of Rajshahi University, Prof Saleh Hasan Naqib, had ties to the pro-BNP teachers' forum. He used to attend programmes arranged by the forum before resigning in August.

Naqib said, "I was barely a member. They [the forum members] forcibly enlisted me as a member, but I was not actively involved in any of their meetings.

"Besides, university teachers may have political ideologies. My work primarily focuses on students. I prefer to stay out of political involvement. As I consider myself somewhat independent-minded, political influence won't affect my work at all."

At Khulna University, the new VC Rezaul Karim is a former president of a pro-BNP organisation.

Prof Rezaul said he had resigned from the association. "Even if I were involved with such an association, it wouldn't affect any of my administrative activities because The affiliation was solely for managing teachers' elections. Everything else we do is for the benefit of students and teachers on the campus. It won't influence any appointments or other activities."

At Bangladesh Agricultural University, AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, the new VC, is the president of the pro-BNP Teachers Forum.

MANY FROM DU

Several DU faculty members with ties to pro-BNP and pro-Jamaat bodies have secured the top positions at other universities.

For instance, Prof ASM Amanullah, who has ties to the pro-BNP "white panel", is the new VC of the National University.

Professor Haidar Ali, also from the same panel, has been appointed VC of Comilla University.

Islamic University VC Prof Nakib M Nasrullah, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University VC Prof Dilip Kumar Barua, and DU Pro-VC Prof Mamun Ahmed participated in the 2022 DU senate election from the "white panel".

Of the eight newly appointed treasurers, seven have links to the pro-BNP or pro-Jamaat bodies. For example, Prof M Abdur Rab, JU treasurer, is known as a "white panel" member.

Some appointments also appear to have been influenced by personal recommendations.

In August, JU Professor Ismot Ara, a relative of Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, recommended four teachers for VC positions at JU. Although none of them were chosen, two were given key roles at Sheikh Hasina University in Netrokona: Prof Khandaker M Ashraful Munim became the VC and Prof Anichha Parvin the treasurer.

Professor Ismot Ara is also a syndicate member at Sheikh Hasina University.

REACTION FROM EDUCATIONISTS

Samina expressed concerns that such practices would not bring any meaningful improvement to universities.

"It does not reflect the expectations of the July-August uprising either," she said.

Teachers who are not involved in politics, lack the time or connections to lobby, are often excluded from key positions.

"Considering these, the government appears very fragile. This fragility is evident in its tendency to sway under pressure or demands, shifting from one side to the other."

Prominent intellectual and writer Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq said, "Given the overall situation, I don't think that this interim government solely relies on or bends to any political party so far."

He said, "It's not that those appointed are less qualified. It could be that the government did not find better professionals for the posts.

"Every administration has limitations and makes mistakes, but they must ensure that their actions reflect the expectations of the citizens."

As an interim government, it might not be able to complete all tasks in a short period, but it can set positive examples for future governments, he added.

Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, his special assistant Prof Aminul Islam, and Senior Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, Siddique Zobair, did not respond to repeated calls made by this correspondent.

Special Assistant to the Education Adviser, Professor M Aminul Islam, told The Daily Star that the government has appointed teachers with excellent academic qualifications, and they are widely acceptable among the students, teachers, and staff.

He added, "It doesn't matter which political party they support or don't support. What matters most is their academic qualifications and their acceptance among students.

"I held a meeting with the new vice-chancellors, where they expressed their commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities."

He added that under past administrations, there were gross violations in appointments. "We have not received any complaints or allegations against the new VCs so far."

These teachers are determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past, he added.

[ RU Correspondent Nurahsan Mridul, JU Correspondent Sakib Ahmed, JnU Correspondent Rakib Madber Contributed to this report.]