Five Faculty Members Under Consideration for Dhaka University VC

Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan has formally resigned as Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University (DU), submitting his resignation letter to Education Minister Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Haq Milon this morning, Sunday, 22 February 2026. The minister presented him with a bouquet of flowers bearing farewell greetings: “To the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan – Best Wishes,” signed by the minister.

The resignation comes just 12 days after widespread campus discussions about potential replacements began circulating. Once the Chancellor (President of Bangladesh) formally accepts the resignation, a new appointment is expected soon, with a gazette notification from the Education Ministry likely within the current week.

Five senior DU teachers are currently leading the conversation as frontrunners for the prestigious post:

1. Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed – Current Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), former General Secretary of DU Teachers Association, and convener of the BNP-aligned White Panel (Sada Dal).
2. Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaydul Islam – Former Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, current President of University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB), from the Physics Department, former DU Teachers Association General Secretary, White Panel convener, and current BNP Education Affairs Secretary. Long active in BNP politics in Bagerhat-4 constituency.
3. Professor Dr. A.S.M. Amanullah – Former Vice-Chancellor of National University, from the Sociology Department.
4. Professor Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan – Dean of the Faculty of Arts, from the Department of Islamic History and Culture.
5. Professor Dr. Md. Morshed Hasan Khan – Current White Panel convener, from the Marketing Department, General Secretary of UTAB, and BNP Public Education Secretary and Media Cell member.

Speculation about Professor Khan’s departure had been circulating even before the 13th National General Election on 12 February 2026. On 10 February, he held an emergency press conference where he expressed his wish to return to academic life, describing his tenure as “an important chapter” and a meaningful opportunity to serve DU, especially after the July uprising. He added that he was willing to stay longer if needed to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any vacuum.

Professor Khan was appointed DU’s 30th Vice-Chancellor on 26 August 2024, shortly after the student-led mass uprising on 5 August that toppled the Awami League government. At the time, he was serving as acting Vice-Chancellor of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).

The resignation letter has been forwarded to the Chancellor for acceptance. No information has been released yet on who will serve as acting Vice-Chancellor in the interim.