The chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) has chastised the Jahangirnagar University (JU) authority for delay in responding to the horrifying rape incident.
In addition, the UGC has formed a committee with three members to look into the actions taken by the university and the issues surrounding the rape case.
This committee will investigate the rape incident and the actions taken by university authorities, as well as the reasons behind the shameful incident. Committee members were to visit the university.
Prof Dr Muhammad Alamgir, the UGC Chairman (Additional Duties), notified us about the committee's establishment in relation to the rape case at Jahangirnagar University. Ferdous Zaman, the Commission Secretary, led a full-day workshop at UGC on Thursday.
''The rape incident at Jahangirnagar University has shocked us,'' said Dr Alamgir. It is completely unacceptable for horrible events like rape to occur at a university. Investigating the cause of these occurrences at this university is essential, as is acting right away.
According to Prof Alamgir, the UGC will soon establish a highly capable unit to investigate and handle reports of anomalies, including sexual harassment, within the university.
There will be posting of skilled officers. This unit will keep an eye on instances of harassment and irregularities at any university and, following an investigation, recommend appropriate action.
The UGC Chairman claimed that in relation to the rape incident at Jahangirnagar University, the university administration had neglected to take decisive action against sexual harassment and other wrongdoings.
Additionally, it has not been possible to stop the incidences of sexual harassment at this university because of the drawn-out legal process for these crimes and the indulgence of the offenders.
He asserted that it is imperative to investigate how non-students are continuously residing at this university and how students are admitted without proper residential facilities.
Dr Alamgir added that the university administration did not act until there was a loud demonstration regarding the claims of sexual harassment and rape on campus. This ruins the atmosphere for teaching and research at the university, as well as the working hours of both instructors and students, and it also creates anarchy.
He asked the university administration to treat sexual harassment as a serious crime, keep the campus safe, and take decisive action against any crime committed in the nation's higher education institutions. He also urged them to take effective measures to prevent sexual discrimination.
To end sexual harassment, UGC secretary Dr Ferdous Zaman recommended strengthening the prevention committee and monitoring. He also highlighted moral education as a means of putting an end to harassment in all its forms.
Officers from all levels of the Commission attended the workshop, which was facilitated by Mauli Azad, Deputy Director and Focal Point of Grievance Redressal Mechanism, UGC.
