President blasts VCs for nepotism

President Abdul Hamid yesterday heavily criticised a section of vice-chancellors and faculty members for nepotism, taking illegal financial benefits, and not taking their public university jobs seriously.

He said such activities are to blame for the "gradual shrinking of respect" for teachers who once were held in high esteem in society.

The president was addressing Dhaka University's 53rd convocation held in the presence of Convocation Speaker Nobel laureate French economist Prof Jean Tirole at its campus -- three years after the pandemic hit the world.

The event was virtually hosted by Dhaka College and Eden Mohila College.

Hamid, chancellor of all public universities, said transparency and accountability must be ensured in every activity at the universities, and quality and merit should be prioritised during recruitment.

He also spoke about the responsibilities of a vice-chancellor. "A vice-chancellor is to supervise and develop the administrative and academic activities of a university. In recent times, sadly, various news reports claim that the main responsibility of some vice-chancellors is to provide jobs to family members and their loyalists, and to take administrative and financial benefits in various ways."

He came down hard on the faculty members who give priority to evening classes at public universities and classes at private universities, taking their full-time job in a public university as an "optional responsibility".

The president also said he wants every university in the country to become a centre of excellence for research and teaching where teachers would be the epitome  of dignity.

Known once as the "Oxford in the East", DU was acknowledged as a prestigious educational institute. However, it is now far behind in the field of research, even though it has better buildings and facilities, he mentioned.

"As the chancellor, I feel ashamed when I come across news regarding the failures in the field of research in some universities," Hamid said.

"I call upon the fresh graduates to be careful. Remember, your education should not be confined to convocations and certificates; it should rather be devoted towards the wellbeing of this country and its people."

The Honorary Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) was conferred on Convocation Speaker Tirole.

In his speech, the Nobel laureate urged the graduates to believe in themselves and said that their passion will take them a long way.

"Bangladesh has made remarkable achievements in the last 50 years and everyone should be proud of it. However, many challenges are still waiting to be uprooted. Be brave and bold, and behave in a socially responsible way," he added.

DU VC Prof Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman and two pro-vice chancellors also spoke at the convocation.

A total of 30,348 undergraduate degrees were conferred on young graduates while 97 academics received their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and 35 received their Master of Philosophy (M Phil).

A total of 153 gold medals were awarded to teachers, researchers, and students for excelling in academics and research.