New Vice-Chancellors Likely for DU, JnU, and BOU Today

Strong indications have emerged that new Vice-Chancellors will be appointed to three major public universities — Dhaka University (DU), Jagannath University (JnU), and Bangladesh Open University (BOU) — possibly as early as today (Monday, 16 March). Multiple sources suggest that the gazette notifications could be issued today, though no one is willing to confirm until the official announcement.

According to sources:

• Prof. Dr. A B M Obaydul Islam, current Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University and a teacher in the Physics Department of Dhaka University, is likely to become the new Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University.
• Prof. Dr. Siddiqur Rahman Khan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Dhaka University, may be appointed Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University.
• At Jagannath University, the current Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rezaul Karim could be removed today. Prof. Dr. Md. Rais Uddin of the Islamic Studies Department (and current President of the Teachers’ Association) is under consideration to take over.

Two of the three individuals reportedly under consideration told The Daily Campus this afternoon that they had spoken with relevant authorities about the matter and are now awaiting the official gazette. They declined to comment definitively until the notification is issued.

Meanwhile, UGC Chairman Prof. Dr. SMA Faiz also sought relief from his duties today by sending a letter to the Ministry of Education in the morning. Names under consideration for the UGC chairmanship include current Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan and DU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Dr. Mamun Ahmed.

A reliable source in the Ministry of Education indicated that if Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan does not get the UGC position, he may be appointed to another important government role. Everyone is currently awaiting the final green signal from the highest level of government and the issuance of the gazette.