Controversy Surrounding Vice Chancellor!

Vice-Chancellor (VC) is the highest-ranking official in a university, responsible for the overall administration of the institution. They are also the guardians of the students, teachers, and staff in the university. However, when VCs themselves become embroiled in controversies, misconduct, and alleged irregularities, it disrupts the normal functioning of the university. This has led to protests by teachers and students in various public universities in Bangladesh at different times. The repercussions of these controversies involving VCs have negatively impacted the educational environment in the country's top academic institutions.

1. Former VC Khandaker Nasiruddin of BSMRSTU: A student and campus journalist in the second year of the university's law department brought temporary expulsion for an incident to the center of student anger. Although several other allegations, including corruption, irregularities in recruitment, and harassment of female students, were raised, it was the demand for the resignation of Dr. Khandaker Nasiruddin, the former Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU), that led to protests by university students. He eventually resigned amid the protests.

2. Former VC Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah of BRU: Controversy has surrounded former VC Professor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah of Begum Rokeya University (Begum Rokeya) from the beginning, with various allegations of irregularities. He rarely visited the campus, conducting his office from Dhaka. There were also allegations that he favored his family members in university appointments. Teachers at the university joined the protests against him. During his tenure, over 40 allegations of irregularities, misconduct, and favoritism were raised. The University Grants Commission (UGC) investigated these allegations and recommended action. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah claimed that there was a conspiracy against him and accused Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni of plotting against him, even saying that a plot to assassinate him was underway.

3. Former VC Dr. M. Abdus Sobhan of RU: Dr. M. Abdus Sobhan, the former VC of Rajshahi University (Rajshahi), faced various allegations of irregularities and controversies since taking office. He changed the teacher recruitment policy, appointing his daughter and son-in-law, and allegedly provided false information to the President when applying for leave. Even as his tenure came to an end, controversy continued to surround him. Student leaders from the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) accused him of financial irregularities within the university's finance committee, resulting in protests and lockdowns at the Vice-Chancellor's residence, administrative buildings, and the Senate building."

4. VC Dr. Farzana Islam of JU: Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Farzana Islam was accused of giving 2 crore taka to Chhatra League in the development project. However, the Vice-Chancellor said that she would not resign in the face of the agitation and said that she would step down if her excellency the President ordered. Having overcome the controversy, Professor Dr. Farzana Islam did not resign and is currently serving in her position.

5. VC Dr. M. Akhtaruzzaman of DU: Dr. M. Akhtaruzzaman, the Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, is embroiled in a series of allegations, with a notable one involving the admission of 34 former and current leaders of the Chhatra League through 'backdoor' means, bypassing admission tests. This issue sparked protests among the university's students and gained widespread media attention.

In addition, irregularities were also alleged during the 2019 Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor panel election. Despite there being claims that three individuals within the panel received the highest number of votes, the current VC did not accept this outcome and placed himself at the forefront. Pro-VC Professor M. Samad was originally expected to be the top choice, leading to intense frustration among the faculty members within the Neel (Blue) faction at that time.

6. Former VC Dr. Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury of CU: Allegations have arisen against Dr. Iftikhar Uddin Chowdhury, the former Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University (CU), involving the preferential hiring of relatives of teachers and staff, even recruiting former expelled students and alleged militants to various positions. Additionally, he has been questioned regarding the shelter and patronage of commerce, Chhatra League leaders involved in murder cases, and the controversy surrounding the Bangabandhu Chair. 

7. Former BU VC Dr. S.M. Imamul Haq: Former Vice-Chancellor of Barishal University (BU), Professor Dr. S.M. Imamul Haq, has been accused of various irregularities, including nepotism and favoritism in appointments. Subsequently, he faced student protests and pressure to resign from the university.

8. Former NSTU VC. Dr. M Wahiduzzaman: Former Vice-Chancellor of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), Dr. M Wahiduzzaman, is facing serious allegations of major irregularities in appointments. Despite the Ministry of Education's directive to halt appointments, it is alleged that a considerable number of staff were recruited during his tenure. Previously, in 2016, a committee from the University Grants Commission (UGC) had to investigate allegations of favoritism and harassment against external individuals and employees known to be aligned with the Vice-Chancellor, resulting in the committee returning to Dhaka under duress. However, Dr. Wahiduzzaman has consistently denied these allegations from the outset."

9. Former VC Dr. Mizanur Rahman of JNU: Dr. Mizanur Rahman, the former Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University (JNU) faced criticism for controversial remarks during discussions on resolving the hostel rent crisis. He also expressed his desire to become the Chairman of the Jubo League, which led to further controversy. Despite this, he served two terms successfully, although many believe there was significant dissatisfaction.

10. SUST VC Prof. Farid Uddin Ahmed: The latest addition to the controversy surrounding university vice-chancellors is Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed, the Vice-Chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). Students, engaged in protests against his resignation as the hall provost, have resorted to a sit-in hunger strike, alleging police brutality during an incident. It's not just the incident; students have expressed their dissatisfaction with Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed for an extended period.

The protesting students have one common demand – the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Farid Uddin Ahmed. Against him, there are allegations of nepotism, creating divisions among teachers and students, prohibiting any campus events, engaging in improper conduct with students, prioritizing hiring people from Cumilla for university positions, and various irregularities in development projects.

These controversies involving VCs have severely impacted the academic environment and stability of these universities, leading to unrest among students, teachers, and staff. The lack of resolution in many of these cases has raised questions about the accountability of university administrators in Bangladesh.