Govt appoints new vice-chancellors at 10 public universities in single day

The government has appointed new vice-chancellors at 10 public universities in a single day, with further changes expected in the coming weeks.

New appointees took up their posts on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Education. 

Officials confirmed the appointments on Thursday evening, and notifications for several more universities are anticipated shortly.

The new vice-chancellors have been given four-year terms, although they will serve only until their retirement age if that falls earlier. 

The Ministry of Education notification stated that the appointments were made with the approval of the President, who serves as chancellor of the universities. 

The appointees will receive salaries and allowances equivalent to their current positions, along with standard facilities, and must reside full-time on campus as the chief executive officer of their respective institutions.

Among those appointed are Professor Dr Ekramul Haque of the Department of Civil Engineering at BUET, who becomes vice-chancellor of Rangamati University of Science and Technology; Professor Dr AKM Matinur Rahman of the Department of Public Administration at Islami University; Professor Dr MM Shariful Karim of the Department of English at Comilla University; and Professor Dr Zainul Abedin Siddiqui of the Department of Chemistry at Chittagong University.

Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal of the Department of Industrial and Production Engineering at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology – currently vice-chancellor of the private North East University Bangladesh – has been named vice-chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET).

Professor Dr Md Mamun Or Rashid, Dean of the Faculty of Oceanography at Patuakhali University of Science and Technology, has been appointed vice-chancellor of Barishal University. Professor Dr Golam Rabbani of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at Dhaka University will lead Noakhali University of Science and Technology, while Dr Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Jamalpur University of Science and Technology, becomes vice-chancellor of Jatiya Kobi Kazi Nazrul Islam University.

Dr Abul Hasnat Moha Shamim, Professor and Treasurer at the School of Agricultural and Rural Development of Bangladesh Open University, has been appointed vice-chancellor of Pabna University of Science and Technology. Dr Mohammad Amir Hossain Bhuiyan of the Department of Environmental Science at Jahangirnagar University will head Jamalpur University of Science and Technology.

Separately, Professor Dr Anisur Rahman of the Department of Marketing at Dhaka University was appointed vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University in the afternoon, but the government cancelled the decision in the evening.

The appointments come amid ongoing changes in university leadership. Following the mass uprising in July 2024, many vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors, and treasurers appointed during the Awami League era resigned. 

The interim government has since installed new administrations, with fresh vice-chancellors already appointed in 56 universities.

However, some appointees under the current administration have faced criticism over alleged irregularities and corruption. There have also been discussions about the influence of political and ideological considerations in the selection process.

Sources indicate that the government is considering changes at a further 30 universities, including the Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX). 

Earlier, in March, new vice-chancellors were appointed at several major institutions, including Dhaka University, Chittagong University, Rajshahi University, Jagannath University, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh Open University, and Dhaka Central University. 

Additional appointments have followed in phases.