University Grant Commission (UGC) investigated the allegation of consecutive irregularities against Khulna Agricultural University (KAU) after they had got the order to do so from Ministry of Education. UGC submitted investigation report regarding this matter in January, 2022. Based on the report of UGC, Ministry of Education has given order regarding the recruitment process of the university. The order instructed to cancel the recruitment of nine relatives of vice chancellor Dr Md Shahidur Rahman. It also called to cancel the application for direct recruitment of VC’s wife in the post of professor.
Besides, ministry of education also ordered to cancel the appointment of 73 teachers, who were recruited by the selection board formed without subject wise experts. Complaints arise against the alleged irregularities of VC, which led 73 teachers of the university into trouble regarding their jobs.
The teachers said, though their recruitment is done according to the rules of the university, the ministry of education given orders to cancel their recruitment because of the serious irregularities of VC.
The Teachers Association of the University arranged an emergency meeting after getting ministry’s order to cancel the recruitment of 73 teachers. After the meeting, in a statement the teachers-leaders said, “According to the ‘Khulna Agricultural University Law 2015,’ there’s a provision of keeping subject wise expert in the selection board. However, there’s no such option for recruiting assistant professor and lecturers.”
It also said, the information of formation of selection board without the subject wise experts in the case of appointing 73 assistant professor and lecturers, is totally made-up. The cancellation of recruitment of 73 teachers is totally illogical and unacceptable. The teachers’ council demanded the cancellation of this order.
President of teachers’ association of KAU Dr Md Toslim Hossain said this reporter, “The ministry of education might give the order to cancel the recruitment of 73 teachers without thoroughly examining the laws of the university. We want the ministry to consider the matter with utmost importance.”
He said, in the investigation, various irregularities of VC have been opened-up and the teachers think it may affect the order of the ministry.
Without expressing his name, one of the lecturers of the university said, The VC had recruited his nine relatives time to time. Besides, he has been involved in various irregularities. So, we want none is suffered because of his irregularities.
Assistant professor of Firm Structure department of KAU Dr Nazrul Islam said, “It would be very pathetic if we see the possibility of losing the job in just one and half years of getting it. So, we expect the ministry would solve the problem as the teachers are in crisis of self-respect after recieving the order.”
When asked the question that whether the order is as per with the university law or not, deputy secretary of ministry of education Md Mahmudul Alam didn’t want to give answer. Khulna Agriculture University VC Dr Md Shahidur Rahman also didn’t respond to several phone calls made to him.
@ This report appeared on the print and online version of Bangladesh Pratidin on Thursday (September 1) and has been rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque
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