Public universities are set to reopen today amid a vacuum in the administrations after the resignation of at least 20 vice-chancellors, 10 pro-vice-chancellors, and many other officials.
Classes and other academic activities have been disrupted for more than one and a half months. When the universities reopen, academic activities may not be at full swing due to the vacancies at key posts.
The wave of resignations in different institutions in the wake of the fall of Hasina-led government has put the interim government in a challenging situation.
“I hope academic activities will fully resume later this week or early next week,” said Prof Muhammed Alamgir, acting chairman of the University Grants Commission, adding that discussions with students will be needed to fully resume the academic activities.
“As far as we know, students of different universities raised some demands. These have to be resolved,” he added.
Prof Tarikul Islam, acting registrar at Rajshahi University, said, “The order to reopen was issued to the VCs. But we have no VC here. We have not decided how to resume academic activities. We will decide once a VC is appointed.”
Azizur Rahman Mukul, deputy registrar at Jahangirnagar University, said, “We are facing numerous challenges as several key administrative positions are vacant.”
The government on July 16, closed all educational institutions amid student protests. Hasina resigned and fled the country on August 5 in the face of a mass upsurge.
But classes at public universities have been suspended since July 1 when teachers went on strike in protest of a new pension scheme.
Prof Akhtarul Islam, president of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers’ Association, said, “We called off the strike and are ready to take classes.”
President Mohammed Shahabuddin, also the chancellor of the public universities, on August 14 accepted the resignations of 16 VCs, five pro-VCs, and three treasurers.
The VCs who resigned are from Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh Agriculture University, Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture University, Islamic University, Begum Rokeya University, Chittagong University, Sheikh Hasina University, National University, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Bangamata Sheikh Fojilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Jagannath University, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Islamic University and Islamic Arabic University.
“For smooth operation, VCs will be needed first. The government can temporarily give the responsibility to someone. The decision has to be prompt,” said Prof Alamgir.
Others who resigned at different universities are six dormitory provosts and the entire proctorial body at DU; the proctor, 11 assistant proctors, the student adviser, and 62 others at RU; pro-VC, treasurer, entire proctorial body, all provosts and assistant provosts at SUST; pro-VC, registrar, a provost, the proctor, 13 assistant proctors, and two house tutors at JnU; pro-VC and treasurer at Islamic University; pro-VC and registrar at JU.
Former DU VC Prof SMA Faiz said, “Many people will be needed to fill the vacancies. But one needs the right and qualified individual. Unqualified persons should not be appointed.”
All secondary schools and colleges are also set to reopen today after almost a month. Primary schools reopened on August 14.
