Major Reshuffle in Higher Education Administration: 10 Universities Get New VCs

The government has carried out a major reshuffle in higher education administration, appointing new Vice-Chancellors (VCs) to 11 public universities. The appointments were made on Thursday through separate notifications issued by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education.

According to the terms of appointment, each VC will serve a four-year term. During this period, they will receive salaries and allowances equivalent to their current positions, along with other benefits associated with the office of Vice-Chancellor.

It is also stipulated that, as chief executive officers of their respective universities, they must reside on campus full-time. The notifications further state that the President and Chancellor may cancel the appointments at any time if necessary.

Following the formation of the BNP government in February, new VCs were earlier appointed to several major institutions, including the University of Dhaka, Rajshahi University, Chattogram University, Jagannath University, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Bangladesh Open University, and Dhaka Central University. At the same time, the Chairman of the University Grants Commission Bangladesh was also replaced.

In total, 18 new Vice-Chancellors have been appointed since the BNP government took office. According to sources at the Ministry of Education, the process of changing leadership in several more universities is still ongoing.

Islamic University

Professor A.K.M. Matinur Rahman has been appointed as the 15th Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University, Bangladesh. He will serve in this position for the next four years.

Prof. Matinur Rahman completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Political Science from the University of Dhaka, an MA in International Relations from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and a PhD from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Islamic University.

Before his appointment, he served in several administrative roles, including Press Administrator, Hall Provost, Proctor, Department Chair, and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Barishal University

Professor Md. Mamun or Rashid has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of University of Barishal.

He previously worked at Patuakhali Science and Technology University. He has taken charge amid ongoing administrative and institutional challenges at Barishal University.

Begum Rokeya University VC's appointment cancelled

Professor Anisur Rahman of the Marketing Department at the University of Dhaka was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur. However, within an hour of the notification his appoinment was cancelled on poltical ground.

It has been reported that the appointment was canceled following allegations that he is the brother-in-law of Nuruzzaman Ahmed, a former social welfare minister under the Awami League government.

Cumilla University

Professor M.M. Shariful Karim of the English Department has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Cumilla University.

The notification was issued by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education on Thursday. He is also a member of the University Teachers’ Association (UTAB).
Nazrul University

Professor Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Jamalpur Science and Technology University, has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University.

The Ministry of Education issued the relevant notification on Thursday. According to the order, he will serve as the chief executive officer of the university and must reside on campus full-time.

Noakhali Science and Technology University

Professor Golam Rabbani has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Noakhali Science and Technology University.

He is currently serving as a professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (ISWR) at the University of Dhaka.

Rangamati Science and Technology University

Professor Zainul Abedin Siddiqui of the Chemistry Department at the University of Chittagong has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Rangamati Science and Technology University.

The Ministry of Education issued the appointment on Thursday. He previously served as Treasurer of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University.

Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology (DUET)

Professor Mohammad Iqbal of the Industrial and Production Engineering Department at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology.

He is currently serving as Vice-Chancellor of North East University Bangladesh.

Pabna University of Science and Technology

Professor Abul Hasnat Mohammad Shamim of the School of Agricultural and Rural Development (SARD) at Bangladesh Open University has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Pabna University of Science and Technology.

He previously served as Treasurer of Bangladesh Open University.

Jamalpur Science and Technology University

Professor Md. Amir Hossain Bhuiyan of the Department of Environmental Science at Jahangirnagar University has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Jamalpur Science and Technology University.

Mawlana Bhashani University

Professor ABM Shahidul Islam has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University.

He is a professor in the Marketing Department at the University of Dhaka and was serving in that position prior to his appointment.

The Ministry of Education issued the relevant notification on Thursday.