The process for appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of North South University (NSU) has sparked controversy, with concerns raised over alleged irregularities and violation of regulations.
Professor Atiqul Islam, the current VC, has been recommended by the Board of Trustees for a third term, extending for 1 year and 6 months, despite the completion of his second 8-year term on February 23, 2024.
On February 25, 2020, former President Abdul Hamid reappointed Professor Atiqul Islam to a second term as vice-chancellor of North South University. It has been alleged that due to the lack of opportunity related to policy regarding the retention of Professor Atiqul in the same position, an application has been made to the Chancellor to retain him in the same position until the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor.
No reply from there has reached NSU yet. As a result, the legal term of the current vice-chancellor expired last Friday, and he was replaced in the same position on an interim basis.
Regarding this, on February 22, the current Vice-Chancellor received a letter from Javed Muneer Ahmed, the Chairman of the NSU Board of Trustees. He wrote in the email, "I am pleased to inform you that today, February 22nd, 2024, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NSU, I have extended the offer of the interim position of Vice-Chancellor In-Charge to Professor Atiqul Islam, which he has accepted. This appointment is effective as of Feb 23rd, 2024."
However, there is no mention of the post's duration in this email correspondence.
Some argue that the 'In-Charge' position at a private university is not supported by relevant laws and amendments. Until the Chancellor makes an announcement, the position will be promoted to Pro-VC or Treasurer in the absence of a VC. The board of trustees was required to appoint three representative panels prior.
In order to integrate academics on trustee boards and to bring consistency to tuition and other fees in these types of institutions, at least 15 clauses in the act were amended in 2021–2022. According to one of the amendments, in order to streamline the appointment process, the government will look to appoint a panel of three representatives from each private university.
Either a member of this specific panel or someone else will be appointed as a VC. Thus, detractors contend that rather than extending the current VC's term, the NSU Board of Trustees ought to have suggested a panel to the Chancellor.
Sources reveal that this time the appointment process has deviated from the guidelines outlined in the Private University Act 2010 and its further amendment, prompting apprehensions about transparency and fairness.
However, the current board of trustees is allegedly sidestepping these norms, opting for swift appointments without due diligence or consensus among members.
The decision to recommend Professor Atiqul Islam for a shorter tenure of 1 year and 6 months instead of the standard 4-year term, has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about underlying motives.
Some board members express reservations about the administration under the current VC and advocate for adherence to statutory procedures in succession planning.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Professor Atiqul Islam is older than 70 years old.
Opponents contend that responsibilities should not be extended to an individual who has surpassed the age of majority, highlighting the importance of following legal guidelines.
The Act does not impose any age restrictions on VC appointments in private universities, according to UGC Director of the Private University Department Omar Faruq, who spoke with Bangladesh Post.
Regarding the VC's second or third consecutive term at the same university, there are no obligations either.
Some claim that worries about NSU's accountability and governance are made inappropriate by the current VC's seeming power concentration and the ineffectiveness of the new Board of Trustees.
As stakeholders express discontent and skepticism, the imperative lies in addressing these issues to safeguard the reputation and credibility of NSU.
While talking to Bangladesh Post, Prof Atiqul said it is an interim post, the board placed an application to the Chancellor's office about the extension of the tenure of the VC’s post of the NSU. But it’s still pending, besides the legal tenure for the post ended on Thursday, 22 February 2024. So, until the Chancellor's consent in this matter, the post has to be continued. That is why the trustee board appointed me for the interim period. So nothing is controversial here.
