Stamford University VC Resigns Early Amid Salary Irregularities
Professor Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman, Vice-Chancellor of Stamford University Bangladesh, has recently resigned before the end of his term in January 2027.
Appointed on 8 January 2023 by the Ministry of Education's Private University Branch for a four-year term, he resigned on 9 September last year. Professor Dr. Md. Yunus Mia is currently serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor.
The university claims the resignation was for personal reasons. However, multiple sources indicate long-standing issues with irregular salary and allowance payments to teachers, officers, and staff, as well as growing distance with the Trustee Board Chairman.
Dr. Moniruzzaman is currently a professor in the Management Studies Department at Jagannath University. Previously, he served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Treasurer at Maulana Bhasani Science and Technology University from 2010 to 2014.
Sources report that following the death of Trustee Board Chairman Fatinaz Firoz on 8 January 2025, her daughter Dr. Farahnaz Firoz took over as Chairman. Allegations include differences over university management, excessive authority assertion, lack of cooperation, and persistent salary delays.
An anonymous university official told The Daily Campus, “There has been long-standing complication with salaries. This month we received November’s salary. The trustees could resolve the issue if they wanted.”
Registrar Md. Abdul Matin said, “Professor Dr. Moniruzzaman resigned citing personal reasons. There was also pressure from leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement. According to them, since he was involved in Awami League politics, why should he remain in the position?”
He clarified that the pressuring leaders were external to the university, while students involved in the movement wanted him to stay.
On salary and authority issues, “The salary problem is old. Usually, one month’s salary remains pending. Currently, November’s salary has been paid. The new Chairman has just taken charge, so there’s no opportunity yet for major decisions. There are other members in the Trustee Board.”
Professor Dr. Moniruzzaman told The Daily Campus: “I was on lien leave from Jagannath University to serve at Stamford. That leave was ending this month. Additionally, some uncertainty was arising in the work environment. Considering everything, I resigned early. I would have had to leave in January anyway.”
On political pressure:
“No political reason. Since joining Jagannath University in 2008, I have stayed away from teacher politics. During the student movement, I stood beside the students and arranged legal support. They did not want me to resign; they tried to stop me.”
On distance with trustees:
“Nothing like that. The Chairman is young and educated. She is trying for the university. However, there are some complications with salaries — that cannot be denied.”
The Acting VC, Professor Dr. Md. Yunus Mia, cut the call upon hearing it was from media and did not respond to further attempts.
Dr. Farahnaz Firoz said, “We have a system in all our institutions. Everything is being done according to the system. Whatever we are supposed to do, it is being done that way.”
On the resignation, “He resigned for personal reasons. There was no distance with me. I recently spoke with him on the phone. He also spoke with several trustees. He never said anything negative.”
Professor Dr. Anwar Hossain, UGC Member, said, “As far as I know, the overall condition of the university is not good. Protecting teachers’ rights is our duty, and we are trying to bring the university to a better state.”
He mentioned past concerns over salary issues when a teacher went abroad, noting that committee-mediated resolutions have not been very effective.
