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Editorial

University without guardian

This situation must not prevail, VCs should be appointed immediately


Bangladeshpost
Published : 22 Aug 2024 09:31 PM

There are no vice-chancellors in at least 27 public universities of the country right now. Therefore, the university authorities are yet to resume their academic activities although all educational institutions in the country started academic activities from August 18. The future of the students has been thrown into deep uncertainty.

The vice-chancellors, pro-vice chancellors, treasurers, proctors, provosts and senior officials stepped down from their respective posts as students issued them ultimatum to resign on allegations of aiding the then ruling Awami League and the police to prevent students from continuing the protests.  Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus-led interim government should take an initiative to fill the vacant posts of vice-chancellors in the public universities as early as possible. They should start collecting information on eligible candidates for vacant posts of vice-chancellors. 

At least 27 public university vice-chancellors, 12 pro-vice chancellors and seven treasurers out of total 55 ones have resigned from their respective posts after the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5 amid a mass uprising led by students. Proctors and provosts of many public universities also stepped down.  Besides, top officials in 45 public universities out of total 55 ones also disappeared following the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina regime.

Uncertainty, anxiety and frustration are mounting for the students of the country’s prestigious and main universities including Dhaka University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Jahangirnagar University, Chittagong University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and Rajshahi University.

At least 27 public university 

vice-chancellors, 12 pro-vice 

chancellors and seven treasurers

 out of total 55 ones have resigned

It is known to all that under partisan government it was easier to find out the vice-chancellors as they had been selected based on their partisan identities. Therefore, the interim government should appoint vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors and capable persons for other important posst based on the their’ academic, administrative and personal qualities and dignities.

We think the interim government will focus on their acceptability among the students. The teachers who will be appointed to the post of vice-chancellor must be acceptable and not at all partisan. Only then the university authorities can reopen their campuses after consulting their syndicate, academic council and teachers. 

We hope the President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser to the interim government Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus will take all-out measures to fill these vital and important vacant posts as early as possible.  The previous government on July 16 ordered the closure of all educational institutions, including universities amid violence during the quota reform movement. 

However, since July 1 students of all public and private universities had remained out of their respective campuses amid violent clashes between quota protesters and police. Since then Honours first, second, third and fourth year and master’s examinations of all universities and colleges remain halted. University authorities also suspended the admission process of first-year Honours students. 

Since then as the educational institutions remain shut the threat of session jam is certainly looming large in universities. Apart from delaying academic plans, uncertainty and anxiety have also gripped students due to indefinite holidays. We hope that smooth and sound academic environment must be ensured first on every university campus right now. This suffocating situation has left students and parents in a state of fears of a more challenging situation in the coming days.  The university authorities should take special programmes and measures to make-up the learning losses of the students. 

We think our students should return to their respective class rooms,   spend their valuable times with studies and engage themselves in other extra-curriculur activities on their respective campuses. 

All political parties must control their respective ‘student wings’. Sometimes previously several extremely unfortunate incidents had created chaos on the campus, compelling the authorities shut the universities for indefinite period after ‘attack and vandalism’ or other unwanted incidents on their campuses. The government should beef up security in all educational institutions in order to keep our students safe and secure.