Top Four Positions Vacant and BoT Led by Acting Chair: Administrative Chaos at Canadian University

Canadian University of Bangladesh is currently grappling with a severe administrative breakdown as its most critical leadership roles—Vice-Chancellor (VC), Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Pro-VC), and Treasurer—all remain vacant of regular appointees. According to the law, these three positions must be appointed by the President and Chancellor of the country. However, at this institution, not only are these top three posts empty, but the position of Registrar is also vacant, with the additional responsibility currently handed to the Advisor for Public Relations and Admissions.

The university's governance has come under heavy scrutiny as Professor Dr. HM Jahirul Haque continues to be presented as the regular Vice-Chancellor despite his four-year term officially ending on April 20, 2026. Since then, he has been serving in an acting capacity, yet the university authorities consistently refer to him as the regular VC in official social media posts and public events. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned that this is a violation of rules and that certificates signed by him in this unauthorized regular capacity are considered "illegal."

Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, a member of the UGC overseeing private universities, described the situation as deeply unfortunate. He noted that the process for appointing a new Vice-Chancellor should have begun well before the previous term expired.

“Canadian University's top positions remaining vacant is regrettable. Initiatives should have been taken to appoint a new VC before the expiration of the current one's term. Furthermore, why 'Acting' is not being written will be investigated, and necessary action will be taken.” — Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Member, UGC

He further stated that presenting an acting VC as a regular appointee is a serious offense and confirmed that the UGC will investigate why the "Acting" title is being omitted and will take necessary actions.

Internal sources within the university have pointed to a climate of administrative paralysis. Following the fall of the previous government on August 5, 2024, the former Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Chowdhury Nafees Sarafat was replaced by Acting Chairman Chowdhury Jafarullah Sharafat. Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, claim that the university is now entirely run under Jafarullah Sharafat's singular direction, rendering the Vice-Chancellor unable to provide independent leadership and leaving the institution effectively dysfunctional.

Investigation reveals that since his term expired, Professor Dr. HM Jahirul Haque has been identified as the regular VC in at least five major university events. These include the International Workers' Day program on May 3, the Spring 2026 orientation on April 27, a mental health session on April 30, and the inauguration of the university's new website and auditorium rebranding on April 26. Professor Haque himself admitted to The Daily Campus that he is serving in an acting capacity and acknowledged that failing to use the "Acting" title is wrong.

Furthermore, the university has been accused of providing false information regarding the Treasurer's position. Although the post has been vacant since September 24, 2025, a press release issued in November 2025 by the university's public relations office identified Professor A.S.M. Sirajul Haque as the Treasurer. This discrepancy has raised concerns among education experts who believe such misinformation amounts to fraud against students and damages the administrative transparency of the university.

Regarding the vacancies, Acting VC Professor Dr. HM Jahirul Haque stated that the Board of Trustees is best positioned to explain why the Pro-VC and Treasurer posts have not been filled, though he mentioned that a list of three candidates for the VC position has been submitted to the Ministry of Education. The Registrar (In-charge), A.S.M.G. Faruk, acknowledged the titling errors and characterized the Treasurer's identification as a potential mistake that would be corrected. Attempts to reach BoT Acting Chairman Chowdhury Jafarullah Sharafat for comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained switched off and he did not respond to messages.