Prof Maksud Kamal new VC of DU

Dhaka University Pro-vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof ASM Maksud Kamal has been appointed as vice-chancellor "for the time being".

President Md Shahabuddin, also the DU chancellor, gave him the appointment, according to a circular of the education ministry.

The circular stated that Prof Kamal has been appointed DU VC as the tenure of Prof Md Akhataruzzaman will expire on November 3.

As the outgoing VC did not call a senate session, which was supposed to elect a three-member panel for VC, the chancellor appointed Prof Kamal "for the time being" following the 1973-order of Dhaka University.

Asked why he did not call the senate session, Prof Akhtaruzzaman said the situation was not favourable for calling the session.

The new VC can call the senate session and follow the other procedures, he said.

Prof Kamal, elected dean of the earth and environmental sciences faculty in 2012, was elected president of the Dhaka University Teachers Association four consecutive times.

He was also the convener of Blue Panel, an Awami League-backed teacher organisation at the university, and a member of the senate and syndicate of the university, as well as the provost of Surja Sen Hall for two terms.

Apart from this, he is the president of Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association.