Irregularities: 3 teachers and an officer of DU suspended, 4 teachers relieved of duties
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Based on various irregularities and complaints, Dhaka University (DU) has temporarily suspended three teachers and one officer. Additionally, four teachers have been relieved of all academic and administrative responsibilities.
These decisions were made during the university's Syndicate meeting held on July 28. The meeting was chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam.
Syndicate sources said that Professor Sadeka Halim, a faculty member of the Sociology Department and former Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University, was temporarily suspended over allegations of unprofessional behavior both inside and outside the classroom, as well as ethical misconduct.
Furthermore, based on complaints from students of various batches and the report of an inquiry committee, Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam and Professor Dr. Afroza Shelley of the Nuclear Engineering Department were also temporarily suspended.
On the other hand, Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Muhit of the Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology Department was relieved of his position as department chairman and barred from all academic and administrative duties over allegations of activities contrary to the spirit of the July mass uprising, anti-administration and anti-government propaganda, and taking a stance in favor of a banned organization.
On the same charges, Professor Dr. Abu Sara Shamsur Rouf of the Pharmaceutical Technology Department and Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam (Rafiq Shahriar) of the Peace and Conflict Studies Department were also relieved of their duties.
Additionally, Professor Dr. Mohammad Bahauddin of the Persian Language and Literature Department was relieved of all academic and administrative responsibilities over allegations of various departmental irregularities and plagiarism in M.Phil and PhD theses.
The meeting also formed a committee to review irregularities and verify transparency in the university's appointment process from January 1, 2009, to June 2024. Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Abdus Salam was made the convener of the committee, which includes the deans of all university faculties.
Another committee was formed to review research activities conducted under the 'HEQEP' project funded by the World Bank and the University Grants Commission during the same period, and to verify transparency in fund utilization. Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Mohammad Almozaddedi Alfesani was appointed as its convener.
The meeting also decided that action would be taken after scrutiny against individuals, groups, and organizations involved in activities against the spirit of the July uprising.
Meanwhile, Supervising Engineer (Civil) A K M Mahbub Mustafa, PEng, of the Chief Engineer's office, was temporarily suspended over allegations of office discipline violations.
On a different note, the meeting decided to construct a "July Memorial Pillar" in the mall area adjacent to the administrative building. The foundation stone of this memorial, dedicated to the martyrs of the July mass uprising, will be inaugurated on August 5.
