Public Universities under fire again for alleged recruitment irregularities

Recruitment irregularities at public universities have been a long-standing issue. Similar to previous administrations, there are accusations that universities bypass proper procedures to appoint preferred candidates and later make their positions permanent.

Recruitment irregularities at public universities have been a long-standing issue. Similar to previous administrations, there are accusations that universities bypass proper procedures to appoint preferred candidates and later make their positions permanent.

According to the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, public universities in Bangladesh cannot hire staff on an ad-hoc or daily wage basis without prior approval from the commission. Even for contractual appointments of teachers or officials, universities must first obtain approval from their regent board or syndicate, following UGC regulations. Once that is done, the appointment notice must be published in at least two national newspapers, subject to UGC’s final approval. However, allegations have surfaced that several universities, including Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), University of Barishal (BU), Gopalganj University of Science and Technology (GSTU), and University of Rajshahi (RU), have recently made contractual appointments without following these rules.

Irregularities in recruitment at public universities have been a long-standing issue. Similar to previous administrations, there are accusations that universities are bypassing proper procedures to appoint preferred candidates and later making their positions permanent.

On January 27, Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) appointed nine individuals on a temporary basis. Among them, two were appointed as assistant professors, one as a lecturer, four as assistant registrars, one as a section officer, and one as an assistant director.

According to university sources, the assistant professor positions went to Dr. Md Iqbal Hossain (Plant Pathology) and Dr. Md Sagirul Islam Majumdar (Soil Science). Dr. Md Mohibbullah was appointed as a lecturer in the Community Health and Hygiene department. Meanwhile, Abu Taher, Suein Ahmed, Md. Mahmud-Al-Zaman, and Md Lockman Hossain were appointed as assistant registrars. SM Mehedi Hasan was appointed as a section officer, and Mahmud Hossain as an assistant director. These appointments were made without seeking approval from the university’s regent board or the UGC. Additionally, no recruitment advertisement was published, as required by the policy for contractual hiring.

A university official, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that Dr. Md. Sagirul Islam Majumdar is distantly related to the vice chancellor. “As far as we know, the VC is his relative. He got the job because of this connection,” the official alleged.

However, Dr. Majumdar denied the allegation, stating, “I previously worked at the Bangladesh Jute Research Center. It has always been my dream to become a university teacher. But despite having the qualifications, I couldn’t secure a teaching position during the Awami League’s tenure due to my political affiliation with the opposition. So, after the government changed, I reached out to universities. Since there was a teacher shortage in this department, the authorities appointed me on a part-time basis.”

When asked about the matter, PSTU Vice Chancellor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam directed inquiries to the university’s pro-vice chancellor and registrar. However, despite multiple attempts, pro-vice chancellor Dr. SM Hemayet Jahan could not be reached for comment.

Speaking to journalists, university registrar Dr. Md Ektear Uddin explained, “These appointments were made due to a teacher shortage and to ensure the university’s smooth functioning. We have informed the UGC and are in the process of obtaining approval. If permanent positions open up, they will be recruited through proper circulars.”

Similar concerns have been raised about University of Barishal. The university recently announced a vacancy for the position of PA to the VC, which attracted over a hundred applicants. However, before completing the formal recruitment process, a candidate named Shakib Hossain was reportedly hired on a one-year contract on February 26. Shakib studied English at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur.

Additionally, allegations have surfaced regarding the university’s registrar. Vice Chancellor Dr. Shuchita Sharmin has reportedly asked the outgoing registrar, Monirul Islam, to continue working despite being on pre-retirement leave (PRL) since February 1. There are claims that efforts are being made to reappoint him on a contract basis.

Attempts to reach Vice Chancellor Dr. Shuchita Sharmin for comments were unsuccessful. However, the university’s treasurer, Dr. Md Mamun Or Rashid, acknowledged the irregularities, stating, “The registrar’s appointment process raises questions, as it was not done properly. We are also unaware of the procedures followed in the hiring of the PA to the VC.”

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has strict rules against ad-hoc hiring. Gopalganj Science and Technology University’s (GSTU) Regent Board had also decided against contract-based appointments. However, on November 13, the university hired Abdullah Al Tofayel Al Ahmod as a section officer on a one-year contract. When students protested against this appointment, the vice chancellor announced a probe committee to look into the matter.

GSTU Vice Chancellor Professor Hossain Uddin Shekhar later clarified, saying, “It wasn’t a contract-based appointment, but a temporary one. We have since corrected the appointment letter. This was a temporary arrangement to keep things running. We consulted UGC before making the hire, and they said temporary appointments were allowed. Students had raised concerns about the recruit’s political ties, and we told them that if anyone could provide evidence, we would investigate. But since no proof was submitted, no committee was formed.”

Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced at Rajshahi University (RU) regarding an irregular appointment. Reportedly, a former RU student was given a class one job at the university before his undergraduate results were even published. An official order signed by acting registrar Professor Iftikharul Alam Masud on November 18 confirmed that RU Vice Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib had appointed Momen Khandaker as an assistant programmer at the university’s ICT center for six months on a temporary basis.

Momen Khandaker was a student in the Computer Science and Engineering department from the 2018-19 academic session. When he was appointed on November 18, his final exam results had not been released. His undergraduate results were finally published nearly a month later, on December 12, where he secured a CGPA of 3.2.

When asked about the appointment, RU Vice Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib told the media, “I just learned about this. I need to check if he applied as an ‘appeared’ candidate.”

When asked if someone could be hired for a class one job position with an ‘appeared’ status, the vice chancellor said, “I had left this entirely to the ICT center’s director. I will discuss the rules with the registrar and the director. I’m looking into it.”

However, RU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Md Farid Uddin Khan told Bonik Barta, “As per the rules, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required for this position. ‘Appeared’ is not an official certification. While candidates with an ‘appeared’ status can sit for BCS exams, they cannot be hired without confirmation of their degree.”

Following the controversy, Vice Chancellor Saleh Hasan Naqib formed an inquiry committee on Friday (March 7). According to a statement signed by Public Relations Administrator Professor Md Akhtar Hossain Majumdar, questions have been raised about an ad-hoc appointment at RU’s ICT center. To investigate the matter, a three-member committee has been formed, led by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Farid Uddin Khan. The committee has been asked to submit a report within 10 working days.

When asked about the issue, UGC Member Professor Dr. Tanzimuddin Khan said, “Vice chancellors have been appointed based on their academic experience. We do not expect them to continue the irregularities seen in past university appointments. If they do, it would be unfortunate.”

He further added, “UGC’s responsibility is to ensure good governance in universities. If we receive complaints of irregularities, we will investigate them thoroughly.”