Chittagong University under scrutiny after RU

On the day of departure of Abdus Sobhan, the former vice chancellor of Rajshahi University, he appointed 141 people to flaunt his power. Even after the investigation committee formed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) declared the appointment illegal, those concerned are insisting on being appointed. Most of them are former and current BCL leaders and activists of Rajshahi University. Using political influence, they obtained appointment letters from the vice-chancellor. There are allegations of bribery in millions behind this appointment. Earlier, the vice-chancellor had relaxed the university recruitment rules for appointing his daughter and son-in-law as teachers.

There are enough reasons to be worried as per the picture published on the last page of Prothom Alo on Tuesday. The aspirants, whose recruitment had been declared illegal by UGC, occupied the conference room of the university's administrative building for several hours to demand their appointment. As a result, the incumbent vice-chancellor and other staff of the university were virtually confined.

While the irregularities in recruitment by the former VC of Rajshahi University is being discussed across the country, the VC of Chittagong University has set another bad precedent by appointing 15 officers and employees on a temporary basis. She has also recruited people of her choice choice and those favoured top officials. She clearly has ignored the instructions of the University Grants Commission. The UGC's directive dated 13 September 2020 states that no one can be appointed to a public university on a temporary basis without the commission's notification and examination.

Besides, the Chittagong University administration has also started the process of recruiting 12 teachers for Laboratory School and College. There are three former leaders of Chhatra League on the list of possible appointments.

We are not implying that a candidate who is involved with Chhatra League will not be able to get a job in the university. But why would a Chhatra League activist get any advantage or special consideration appointment for? Are they afraid that they cannot survive in fair competition?

The acting registrar of the university said that the appointment was made on the recommendation of someone. The former president of the University Teachers Association said these appointments did not comply with the law. Recruitment without complying with the law cannot be legitimised in any way.

All current public universities are closed due to novel coronavirus. But the recruitment-trade of vice-chancellors is on. They seem not to be concerned about education at all, rather over-enthusiastic about hiring. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has summoned five officials, including former Rajshahi University vice-chancellor Abdus Sobhan, over allegations of irregularities.

Our stand in this matter is very clear. No one can be posted on the basis of the appointment which has been declared illegal in the UGC investigation. The university is not for the benefit of the leaders and workers of a student organization or for favouritism. The temporary appointment of Chittagong University should also be cancelled. Why are the authorities so desperate to make temporary appointments where education activities are closed?