DU Syndicate Abolishes SMT Formed to Curb VC's Absolute Power

In Dhaka University (DU), the individual holding the position of Vice-Chancellor (VC) traditionally enjoys the authority to single-handedly make supreme decisions regarding any administrative or academic matter. However, after assuming office following the political transition on August 5, 2024, the then-VC Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan introduced a high-level administrative coordinating framework designed to decentralize the supreme administrative post's absolute power.

The structure was named the Senior Management Team (SMT). However, within hours of taking office as the new VC last March, Professor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam suspended its activities. Subsequently, in May, the university's highest policymaking body, the Syndicate, officially decided to abolish the team during a regular meeting.

The university administration revealed this information in response to a query from a member during the Senate Annual Session 2026. The session was held on Monday (June 29) at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, presided over by the VC and Senate President Professor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam. During the session, members delivered scheduled speeches. Prior to the session, members had submitted multiple written queries to the university administration, and the written responses, signed by the acting Registrar Munsi Shams Uddin Ahammad, were distributed.

Senate member and DU Sociology Department Professor Dr. Samina Lutfa had submitted a written question stating, "According to the Dacca University Order, 1973, the Deans' Committee and the Senior Management Committee are not valid authorities for operating the university. Why should these two systems not be abolished?"

In its written reply, the DU administration clarified, "The Deans' Committee is a body approved by the Syndicate, where decisions on various academic and administrative matters are taken. Furthermore, the formed Senior Management Committee has been abolished by the Syndicate in its meeting on 07.05.2026."

Previously, the Niaz administration had issued a written statement explaining that the Senior Management Team (SMT) was a high-level administrative coordinating framework which, under the leadership of the VC, assisted in the efficient execution of crucial administrative functions. The team comprised the VC, two Pro-VCs, the Treasurer, the Registrar, and the Proctor. Through the formation of the SMT, the VC had ensured the decentralization of his absolute power.

When questioned at the time about whether the DU Order contained policies regarding the formation of such a team, the then-Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed had noted that while the Dhaka University Order, 1973, did not contain provisions for such a structure, the Syndicate had formed it, meaning it would be incorporated into Ordinance-2.

A university source revealed that within two hours of taking charge as VC on the afternoon of March 16, Professor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam directed the Registrar to suspend SMT activities. Later that evening, the VC appointed Persian Language and Literature Department Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarker as the acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts. The source added that had the SMT remained active, the VC would have had to hold a meeting with the two Pro-VCs, Treasurer, Registrar, and Proctor before making such a decision.