Those who are ahead in the race to become the vice-chancellor

Jahangirnagar University (JABI) Vice-Chancellor Professor Nurul Alam resigned on August 7 after the fall of the Awami government in a student uprising. Apart from this, pro-Awami teachers holding the posts of Vice-Vice-Chancellor (Education), Vice-Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Registrar, Treasurer and Proctor also resigned. Academic and administrative activities have come to a standstill as the vice chancellor and other important posts are vacant.

Earlier, it was announced to start the academic program from August 11, but the education program was not normalized as the top posts were vacant. Demand for appointment of vice-chancellor for normalization of educational activities.

In the meantime, the names of 10 teachers are being discussed for the new vice-chancellor post. Besides, there are rumors that the names of some retired teachers are also in the list. However, a group of teachers and students said that they do not want retired people as vice-chancellors.

The expectation of the teachers and students of the university is that a person who is honest as a teacher, efficient and competent as an administrator, able to meet the logical demands of the students should be elected as the vice-chancellor. Students also expect that the new vice-chancellor will pay maximum attention to the quality of education and research in the university.

When asked what kind of vice-chancellor he wants in the university, Amirul Islam, a student of the philosophy department, said that he wants an honest, qualified and student-friendly teacher as the vice-chancellor of the university. Who will give the highest importance to the opinions of ordinary students above all personal interests. We want to see an efficient, leadership teacher who can gift us a beautiful campus that is modern, safe, green, clean, drug and terror free.

Those who are in talks to get the post of vice chancellor

It is known that according to section 11(1) of the Jahangirnagar University Act 1973, a panel of three members is selected through the vote of the members in the Senate for the post of Vice-Chancellor. From that panel the President and the Acharya appoint any one of them for a term of four years. The same person shall be eligible to hold office again for another four years. Besides, as per Section 11(2) of the Act, if the post of Vice-Chancellor becomes vacant due to leave, illness, resignation or any other reason, the Acharya will make arrangements to fill the position. However, experts say there is no opportunity to elect the vice-chancellor panel as there is no registrar.

Meanwhile, the names of eight teachers have been discussed as new vice-chancellors. Since there is no opportunity to elect the panel, it is said that the interim government will appoint whoever it deems fit. But the choice of students will prevail in this list. Otherwise there is a glimpse of movement again.

The teachers in discussion are – Professor Sohail Ahmed of Biochemistry and Anthropology Department, Professor Kamrul Ahsan of Philosophy Department, Professor Mafurhi Sattar of Pharmacy Department, Professor Jamal Uddin Runu of Environmental Science Department, Professor Golam Rabbani of History Department, Professor Shamchul Alam of Department of Government and Politics, Department of Bengali Prof. Shamima Sultana and Dean Abdur Rab, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. Among them, Sohel Ahmed is known as a pro-Awami teacher. And except Ghulam Rabbani, the rest are known as pro-BNP teachers.

Professor Sohail Ahmed of the most talked about biochemistry and anthropology department is currently serving as the vice president of the teachers' association. Before this, he has served as proctor, hall principal and department president in various public and private institutions of the country. He has published 45 research articles in various national and international journals. He was always on the side of teachers and students in any logical movement. He was seen standing by the students in the latest quota reform movement. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Medical Research Council and worked as a front-liner during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Philosophy department professor Kamrul Ahsan is known as a BNP supporter but has gained reputation and trust by standing by the students in any movement and struggle. He is serving as the president of the Jabi branch of the Nationalist Teachers Forum, a teachers' organization. Apart from politics, he is also known as an academic and talk-show personality. He has served as the general secretary of Bangladesh Philosophical Society, secretary of Jabi Teachers Association and advisor of various social and cultural organizations. Apart from this, he has served as a member of the University Senate, Syndicate, Academic Council, Hall Principal and various administrative duties.

Professor Mafruhi Sattar of the Department of Pharmacy was an elected member of the Senate and Syndicate of the University. Besides, he has performed various administrative duties including Secretary of Teachers Association, Proctor, Hall Principal, Departmental President. He was on the editorial board of Bangladesh of Life Sciences. He is ranked 78th in Bangladesh in AD Scientific Index ranking. Besides, he was seen by the side of the students in any logical movement-struggle.

Professor Jamal Uddin Runu of the Department of Environmental Science of the University has served as an elected member of the Senate, Advisor of the Nature Conservation Initiative Forum, Joint Secretary of Jahangirnagar University Teachers Association, President of the Department of Environmental Science. He has 19 research papers. Besides, he has performed the duties of various social and cultural organizations. He was also seen on the side of teachers and students in any logical movement.

Professor Mohammad Gholam Rabbani Jabir of History Department did BA (Hons), MA, MPhil from the same department. He later obtained his PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He teaches Economic History of East Bengal (Medieval), Economic History of Bangladesh, History of Civilization, Rise of Bangladesh and South Asia. He is currently a senator-elect and a member of the university's Board of Advanced Studies and Academic Council. He has also served as Vice President of Jahangirnagar Theatre, Founder President and Advisor of Anandan and Vice President of Rotaract Club of Jahangirnagar.

Besides, Professor Shamsul Alam of Government and Politics Department is in the discussion. He has held various positions including Principal of the University Hall of Residence, President of the Department of Government and Politics, Acting Teacher of the Transport Office, President of the Higher Education Committee, Member of the Academic Council and elected Senator and Syndicate Member. He also stood by the side of teachers and students in any logical movement. Besides, he has numerous research articles.

Shamima Sultana is a professor of Bengali department in the discussion. Recently, during the quota reform movement, he took down the photo of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from the office of the department and was widely discussed and criticized. Prof. Shamima has 14 research papers and one book. In addition, he has performed various administrative duties including Hall Principal, Warden. He is also an elected teacher representative of the Senate.

Professor Nurul Islam, who is in discussion, is a teacher in the Department of Geography and Environment. He holds a PhD from the University of Nottingham, UK. He teaches hydrology, channel form, dynamics, floodplains, watershed management, geographic information system (GIS) research methods, and disaster management. He is appointed as the General Secretary of Bangladesh National Geographical Association.

Besides, Professor Muhammad Nazrul Islam is teaching in Mathematics Department. Sharfuddin received gold medal for securing more than 75 percent marks in M.Sc. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in 2015.

Meanwhile, the names of some retired professors have also been discussed. Notable among them are former professors of the Department of Economics, Anu Mohammad, Amir Hossain and others. However, a large section of teachers and students do not want retired professors as vice-chancellors.

Professor Lutful Elahi, who was injured in the attack by Chhatra League activists and external terrorists on the residence of the Vice-Chancellor while trying to save the students, said on social media that the universities have been paralyzed by giving retired Vice-Chancellors the responsibility. Those vice-chancellors have no sense of responsibility towards the university. Because they will not return to the faculty after their term expires. As a result, they focus on corruption, looting and recruitment trade. Again, as they become autocratic by giving one person more than one responsibility, the circle of corruption is widened by forming autocratic syndicates. In any university of Bangladesh, it is better not to give the responsibility of university management to retired people.