University of Dhaka’s Faculty of Fine Arts announced a recruitment circular back in 2023 for lecturer positions in the Printmaking Department. According to the circular, applicants needed at least a GPA of 4.25 out of 5 in both SSC and HSC, along with a minimum CGPA of 3.50 out of 4 or first-class results in both bachelor’s (honors) and master’s degrees in Printmaking. However, three candidates—Abdullah Al Bashir, Juton Chandra Roy, and Swapon Kumar Sana—were appointed despite not meeting these requirements.

University of Dhaka (DU), regarded as the country’s oldest higher education institution, has appointed more than 1,400 teachers over the past 15 years. Allegations suggest that many of these appointments were made by relaxing requirements, political considerations, or financial transactions. Similar allegations have also surfaced about teacher recruitment at other public universities.

According to the latest annual report published by the University Grants Commission (UGC), there are currently 16,399 teachers across 53 public universities. In 2009, the number was 9,241. Ministry and UGC records show that over the past 15 years, at least 8,800 teachers were recruited. This means 54 percent of the current faculty members joined in that period. A large portion of them have faced accusations of favoritism, political influence, relaxed eligibility rules, or financial dealings during recruitment. Yet, the government at the time took no action against these irregularities. Even after the July student uprising, when measures were taken against irregularities in law enforcement, bureaucracy, and other sectors, no such steps were visible in public universities. In some universities, investigation committees were formed, but most of them have yet to submit their reports.

Education experts say that over the past decade and a half, many talented graduates with strong results and good performances in recruitment exams were denied opportunities because they lacked political connections or recommendations from ruling party leaders. Meanwhile, party activists, loyalists, and associates were hired by relaxing the rules.

A former DU student, now working in a government institution, told Bonik Barta on condition of anonymity, “I was never involved in politics. I focused only on my studies and had good results. My dream was to become a teacher. I took part in recruitment exams at four public universities but wasn’t selected. After my second rejection, my seniors advised me to seek political backing for the viva. In one instance, a senior who liked me arranged a recommendation from a top leader, but it didn’t help. Later, I found out the candidate recommended by the Prime Minister’s Office got the job. A member of the selection board even told me they would arrange a position for me at another university. In reality, the same group of teachers sat on almost all selection boards. This syndicate controlled the entire recruitment process.”

The former student further said, “University teachers in our country receive good salaries and benefits. They can live comfortably with honesty alone. I don’t understand why they get involved in such unethical practices. Because of them, many unqualified people are entering the profession, which is lowering the quality of higher education in Bangladesh.”

In the past decade and a half, allegations of irregularities in recruitment were also raised against the administration of Jahangirnagar University (JU). In 2023, the Department of History recommended three candidates for appointment: Shamsuddoha Moni from the 35th batch, Sarafat Adnan Biplob from the 40th batch, and Sharmin Sultana from the 42nd batch. Allegations surfaced that the top performer among the candidates, Maria Akter from the 43rd batch, was excluded from recruitment. She had secured GPA 5 in both SSC and HSC, a CGPA of 3.76 in her undergraduate studies, and 3.77 in her postgraduate degree.

At that time, the head of the department, Professor Mohammad Mozahidul Islam, claimed that the recruitment process was being carried out in line with the ordinance of Jahangirnagar University. Soon after, a student from the 42nd batch of the Department of Public Administration, Jannat Ara, sent a letter to the UGC Chairman demanding the cancellation of teacher recruitment in the department. In the letter, she alleged that despite having all the qualifications, she was excluded, while a comparatively less qualified candidate with questionable integrity was recommended by the recruitment board. However, no action was taken in response at that time. Even after the change in government, the university has remained silent on the matter.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, told Bonik Barta, “We are working on the trials of those involved in the July attack and on several other investigation committees. Apart from this, we are also preparing for the JUCSU election. Altogether, we could not address this until now. Many people are demanding this. Hopefully, in the coming days, we will be able to work on it.”

Among the vice-chancellors criticized during the previous government over recruitment trade was former VC of the University of Chittagong (CU), Professor Dr. Shireen Akhter. She took charge on November 3, 2019. Over her four years in office, she recruited more than five hundred teachers, officers, and employees. Allegations suggest that almost all of them were recruited on political considerations. At that time, several audio recordings related to recruitment at the university were leaked. In those recordings, demands of BDT 800,000 for Class IV staff recruitment, BDT 1 million to 1.2 million for Class III staff, BDT 1.5 million to 1.6 million for officers, and BDT 1.6 million for teachers could be heard. Yet, no action was taken over those allegations. After the change of government, a committee was formed to investigate 16 years of recruitment and financial corruption, but no measures have been taken against any teacher so far.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said, “Recruitment corruption in universities didn’t only take place in the past 15 years. It had started earlier. But in the last 15 years it has reached its peak. The main reason behind this corruption is political partisanship. Political parties have tried to strengthen their position in universities by ensuring recruitment of their candidates by any means. As a result, meritorious individuals have been ignored. This has damaged both our education system and our students.”

He further said, “The autonomy of universities is logical. But our universities have been using this autonomy to avoid accountability. Besides, the process of forming syndicates in new universities has been designed in such a way that it allows scope for political dominance. To stop recruitment corruption, these laws need reform. At the same time, those who have already been recruited through corruption must be identified and punished. If exemplary punishment is ensured for them, it will reduce the tendency of such corruption in the future.”

Allegations of partisanship and favoritism were also raised in the recruitment process at the University of Rajshahi (RU). Former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. M Abdus Sobhan allegedly appointed 138 teachers and staff in violation of a ban imposed by the Ministry of Education. The matter is currently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Following an ACC petition, on March 10, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib’s court issued an order prohibiting Professor Abdus Sobhan from leaving the country.

Speaking to Bonik Barta regarding irregularities in recruitment, RU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Mohammad Main Uddin said, “Over the past decade and a half, allegations have been raised about easing conditions and results, financial involvement, and using political and personal influence in teacher recruitment. To look into these issues, the university administration has already formed a fact-finding committee. For this, an open complaint mechanism has been introduced. Complaints are also being identified through email and other anonymous channels. Although the number of complaints is not very high, we had expected more information. But action will be taken soon against those initially identified as accused.”

He added, “Action has already been taken against several teachers including Associate Professor Sadiqul Sagar from the Law Department, Professor Sujan Sen from the Faculty of Fine Arts, and Professor Mustak Ahmed from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism. Some have been temporarily expelled, while others have been suspended for five years.”

According to sources, irregularities in recruitment have been most common in the newer universities. Allegations of corruption in hiring teachers have been particularly high in the 20 universities established during the Awami League’s rule. Alongside political favoritism, nepotism by vice chancellors has also played a major role in these universities. Gopalganj Science and Technology University (GSTU) has repeatedly come under discussion over recruitment corruption during the past decade. In 2022, Aohona Arefin, daughter of the then-Vice Chancellor of the University of Barishal (BU) Dr. Md Sadequl Arefin, was appointed to the Civil Engineering Department of GSTU despite not meeting the required conditions. Shortly after, in 2023, Farzana Mahbub, daughter of the then-Vice Chancellor of Gopalganj Science and Technology University Professor AQM Mahbub, was appointed to the Environmental Science and Disaster Management Department of University of Barishal. The allegation was that to secure his own daughter’s recruitment at BU, AQM Mahbub had unlawfully arranged the appointment of Aohona Arefin at Gopalganj Science and Technology University. Although the matter sparked widespread discussion at the time, neither the UGC nor the government took any steps, as both vice chancellors were seen as aligned with the Awami League. Even after the 2024 mass uprising which led to changes in various administrative positions, neither of the two universities has yet taken any action regarding the illegal recruitments or corruption of the past one and a half decades.

Recruitment corruption also brought controversy around Professor Dr. Shahidur Rahman Khan, former Vice Chancellor of Khulna Agricultural University (KAU). He had appointed 426 teachers, officers, and employees against only 350 students. The allegation was that most of them had been appointed based on family ties or political affiliation. At the time, the UGC confirmed these irregularities and recommended the dismissal of those appointed. However, that recommendation has yet to be implemented. Recently, the university’s teachers’ association even filed an application to withdraw the directive that canceled the recruitment of 73 teachers who were hired through irregular means.

In 2016, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) published a report on teacher recruitment in universities. That publication alleged widespread corruption and irregularities in the recruitment of lecturers at public universities, including political favoritism, hiring beyond official circulars, and manipulation of exam results. It also revealed evidence of financial transactions ranging from BDT 300,000 to BDT 2 million for such appointments at eight universities. Over the past one and a half decades, allegations of question paper leaks, financial dealings, and bribes in recruitment have also surfaced at primary, secondary, and other educational institutions. According to various related sources, this pattern has remained more or less consistent throughout the past decade and a half, though it became more pronounced in the later years.

Several university Vice Chancellors have alleged that teachers themselves are creating obstacles to taking action against illegal recruitment. One Vice Chancellor, speaking to Bonik Barta on condition of anonymity, said, “Even though there are differences of opinion among teachers when it comes to political ideology, they all agree not to allow any action against them on recruitment issues. We have even had heated arguments with teachers over this. Action can only be taken if the ministry gives instructions. Otherwise, if we try to proceed, the university will become paralyzed.”

University of Dhaka’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha said, “If any specific allegation comes forward, we usually handle it through committees. So far, we have formed two types of committees. One is for officers and employees, and the other is for teachers. If anyone feels they have been discriminated against or denied justice, they can apply. Each case or situation is then considered individually by three deans, who are tasked with examining the documents and submitting a report. The most common complaint regarding recruitment is that despite having the necessary qualifications, someone was not hired. To address this, we have formed a committee.”

On the broader issue, UGC Chairman Dr. Syed Muhammed Abul Faiz told Bonik Barta, “Universities have a degree of autonomy. They themselves need to take initiatives to address such irregularities. If we receive clear allegations along with evidence, we will then discuss the matter with the ministry and take steps accordingly.”