Following the student-led mass uprising in August 2024, vice-chancellors of 48 public universities resigned one after another, leaving the institutions without guardians for a period. The subsequent interim government then appointed new vice-chancellors to those universities. Appointments were also made to institutions where tenures had expired and to newly launched universities. In total, the interim government appointed vice-chancellors to 56 public universities during its tenure. With a newly elected political government set to assume office within days, many vice-chancellors are reportedly concerned about the stability of their tenure. Most, however, have expressed interest in continuing in their roles.
An analysis of appointment notifications issued over the past one and a half years shows that the vice-chancellors of University of Dhaka (DU), Jahangirnagar University (JU), University of Rajshahi (RU), and University of Chittagong (CU) were appointed on a temporary basis. The remaining 52 vice-chancellors were appointed for four-year terms. However, all appointment letters stipulate that the president, as chancellor, may revoke the appointment at any time if deemed necessary.
Some of the four temporarily appointed vice-chancellors believe that, as no specific tenure was mentioned in their appointment orders, the incoming elected government may choose to appoint new vice-chancellors. None, however, agreed to comment on the record. Even among those with fixed tenures, two vice-chancellors voiced similar concerns. Some believe that if the new government validates other decisions taken by the interim government, it may refrain from removing the incumbent vice-chancellors. A few have informed that they may decide to step down depending on the circumstances, though most have said they wish to continue.
Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University (CU), told Bonik Barta, “I didn’t assume this responsibility out of personal ambition after July; rather, I came forward to serve the country and the university. The country has undergone a democratic transition. I believe there is now a greater scope to work constructively in the education sector. I would like to continue contributing to the nation in this role.”
Meanwhile, Niaz Ahmed Khan, vice-chancellor of University of Dhaka (DU), announced at a press conference on February 10 that he had decided to resign, saying the move was intended to allow the new government to reorganise the administration as it sees fit. “I took on this responsibility in a special and emergency context. There are still limitations, though progress has been made in several areas. I want to allow the political government to reorganise the administration as it wants. We’ll do what is necessary to meet their needs so they can arrange matters in their own way. That is why I wish to step aside. If stakeholders want me to maintain continuity and reduce the vacuum, I would consider it,” he said. He also expressed a desire to return to teaching in his department.
Many vice-chancellors remain apprehensive about the durability of their tenure, fearing that the elected government may appoint new leadership. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a vice-chancellor of a public university told Bonik Barta, “Whatever is said, our university appointment process isn’t yet fully free from political considerations. After assuming office, I’ve faced several political challenges. If I sense an adverse situation emerging, I’ll step down, even if my tenure hasn’t expired.”
During the tenure of the ousted Awami League government, widespread allegations of irregularities, corruption, and partisan appointments were raised over recruitment in public universities. After the fall of the Awami government in August 2024, the Ministry of Education placed special emphasis on appointing qualified vice-chancellors and preventing corruption. However, various quarters have criticised the appointment processes and subsequent activities of several vice-chancellors. Over the past one and a half years, allegations of irregularities in recruitment and promotions have surfaced at a number of institutions, including the University of Dhaka, University of Rajshahi, University of Chittagong, University of Barishal, Comilla University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, among others.
On January 15, leaders and activists of the Chattogram University unit of the Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal staged a sit-in in front of the administrative building, demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor and two pro-vice-chancellors of University of Chittagong over allegations of nepotism and irregularities in recruitment.
Professor Dr Muhammad Yeahia Akhter, vice-chancellor of the University of Chittagong, told Bonik Barta, “Our plan is to rebuild the University of Chittagong. Our primary goal is to restore academic standards and recruit talented and promising teachers. The academic environment should be such that democratic and free thought can exist. Our plans are limited to achieving these objectives. We don’t wish to engage in political questions about who is in power.”
A research report titled ‘One and a Half Years After the Fall of Authoritarianism: Expectations and Achievements’, published on February 2 by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), stated, “Following the mass uprising, the two major political parties shared control over the appointment of vice-chancellors and pro-vice-chancellors in 48 public universities. Alongside these, there were frequent incidents of recruitment, posting, and removal of teachers under pressure from ‘the public’.”
Repeated attempts to contact Professor Dr Saleh Hasan Naqib, vice-chancellor of the University of Rajshahi, to know about his views on serving under the newly elected government were unsuccessful. However, a senior university administrative official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “No one here is considering stepping down. As we aren’t involved in any corruption, we’ll continue to discharge our duties transparently.”
Professor Dr Md Shahidul Islam, vice-chancellor of Pirojpur Science and Technology University, said he was willing to continue the service if the elected government wants to keep him. “Teachers and students here are very supportive. There’s no political influence on the university. I’ll properly carry out the responsibilities entrusted to me with the support of the elected government. I want to leave this new university in a strong position,” he told Bonik Barta.
Among the universities that experienced instability after the resignation of Awami-era vice-chancellors, University of Barishal was one of them. During the interim government’s tenure, both the vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor were removed amid protests by teachers and students. Since then, Professor Dr Mohammad Taufiq Alam has been serving as vice-chancellor. He told Bonik Barta, “So far, I haven’t faced any political problems in running the university. Therefore, I am not thinking about these issues at the moment.”
Meanwhile, on Friday, a group of students declared Professor Md Maksud Helali, vice-chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), persona non grata on campus and hung banners in front of his residence. Some of the students alleged that Chatradal’s leaders and activists had made the declaration. However, the central Chatradal leadership stated that it has no organisational activities at KUET.
Rakibul Islam Rakib, president of the Jatiyotabadi Chatradal, told Bonik Barta, “We moved away from the old style of student politics a long time ago. The culture of show-of-force politics by ruling parties on campuses and exerting influence over general students over the past 20 years will never return. The appointment of vice-chancellors is an entirely governmental and institutional process. The Chatradal has neither the intention nor the opportunity to interfere in this process. We’re fully aware of this and have completely abandoned the old culture.”
The Chatradal president added that they would remain vocal against any irregularities at universities. “However, that doesn’t mean we’ll remain silent on issues of transparency, accountability, or corruption. We’ve expressed our opinions and protests in democratic language in the past and will continue to do so. However, we won’t choose the path that creates pressure to alter the core appointment process or engage in politics based on allegations. Upholding the spirit of the July–August mass uprising, we’ll continue our political stance through peaceful, democratic, and student-friendly means.”
During the Awami League era, there were widespread allegations regarding the political involvement of teachers. Education Adviser Professor Dr CR Abrar commented that such involvement had polluted the university environment. There are also allegations that some incumbent vice-chancellors began reaching out to political circles even before the election to safeguard their positions. In January, Professor Dr AM Sarwaruddin Chowdhury, vice-chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Shajedul Karim were seen attending a BNP election rally in Sylhet. However, Section 51(2) of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Act, 1987, states, “No teacher or officer of the university may propagate political opinions or associate themselves with any political organisation.” Despite repeated attempts, the SUST vice-chancellor could not be reached for comment regarding his attendance at the rally.
Additionally, Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, served as a member of the BNP’s parliamentary election coordination committee in the university area. The University Teachers’ Association of Bangladesh (UTAB) had distributed responsibilities for conducting election-related activities in respective university areas. Responding to the matter, the JU vice-chancellor said, “The organisation concerned is a professional body of teachers where I once served as vice-president. There has been discussion and criticism over my inclusion in a committee. I believe everyone has the right to engage in such discussion and criticism. I don’t wish to comment further.”
Professor Emeritus Dr Manzoor Ahmed of BRAC University said that changes in vice-chancellorships on political grounds would be undesirable. He told Bonik Barta, “The old culture of replacing vice-chancellors or academic administrators on political considerations is not desirable in post-uprising Bangladesh. We hope the new government will refrain from doing so. However, if certain changes are required to implement the government’s education agenda, that is a separate matter. But wholesale changes based on political considerations are not expected. If there are allegations against anyone, those should be investigated in a rule-based manner, free from political influence.”
Asked whether changes in vice-chancellors were likely under the new government, Education Adviser Professor Dr CR Abrar said, “That’s a decision for the political government. To ensure a proper academic environment and maintain a dynamic structure in the country’s education sector, the government will certainly take prudent steps.”