The tenure of Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University (JU) Prof Farzana Islam expired on March 2. Until the next vice-chancellor is appointed, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Nurul Alam has been assigned to perform the routine duties of vice-chancellor for the interim period, said an office order issued by the Ministry of Education.
Who will be the next Vice-Chancellor of the university? There has been an intense speculation among the teachers, students and officials.
After the resignation of the then Vice-Chancellor Professor Anwar Hossain in 2014, Prof Farzana Islam was given the charge of JU as the first woman vice-chancellor of any public university in the country.
After completing the first term smoothly, she was reappointed for another four years. Though there were not many allegations of irregularities in the first term, allegations have been levelled against her in second term.
She was accused of ‘giving’ Tk 20 million illegally to the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) from the ECNEC-approved Tk 14.45 billion university development project. She was condemned most for this allegation.
According to the sources, several influential teachers are proceeding to be the vice-chancellor of the university. Various aspects of their qualifications are also been discussed among the teachers and students. Actually, it is now talk of the campus.
Prof Dr Md Amir Hussain, a renowned educationist and freedom fighter, is ahead in the race to become the vice-chancellor of the university, as per speculations.
Among all the aspirants, he is the only freedom fighter. By being democratically elected at numerous levels of the university's election, Amir Hussain has established himself as a well-received and respected academician and administrator.
He recently discharged the duties of the pro-vice-chancellor (Administration) of the university. He has working experience in various capacities including dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, senate and syndicate member, secretary of the Jahangirnagar University Teachers' Association twice (1990-1991) and (2003-2004) and also served as the President of the Pro-Awami Teachers' Association ‘Bangabandhur Adarsha O Muktijuddher Chetonay Bishwasi Progotishil Shikkhok Samaj.’
Professor Md Nurul Alam, current Pro-VC (education), who is now performing the routine duties of Vice Chancellor for the interim period, is also vying for the position of vice-chancellor.
He had served as the president of the Teachers' Association of the University. Besides, he had been the convener of the Pro-Awami League Teachers' Organisation ‘Bangabandhu Adarsher Shikkhak Parishad’ (Teachers who ideologies Bangabandhu).
Recently appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Sheikh Md Monzurul Huq, former treasurer of JU, is also in the competition to grab the post. He was the dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Law, a member of the Senate and Treasurer of the university.
Prof Rasheda Akhtar, a teacher of the Department of Anthropology and current treasurer, is also trying to become the vice-chancellor. She had served as the Dean (Acting) of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Law. Prof Rasheda Akhtar had long been the head of the university's anti-sexual harassment cell.
Prof Ajit Kumar Majumder, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, is also in the race. He is known in the teaching community as a party changer for his own interests. After the second-term appointment of Prof Farzana Islam as JU VC, he was seen trying heart and soul for her dismissal and at that period he led the protest against her. However, he later joined Prof Fazana Islam’s wing for personal gain and faced relentless criticism.
Besides, a new rumour is spreading on the campus that even Prof Farzana Islam may come back for a third consecutive term. Though on her last working day, students protested with brooms and Jack-fruits as a symbol of humiliation in front of the VC’s Bungalow.
However, teachers and students of JU expect that the person who will become the university's vice-chancellor will work to establish a healthy learning environment devoid of corruption and nepotism.
