In the wake of the July protests, Prof Dr Sadeka Halim resigned from her position as Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University. Along with her resignation, the university's Registrar, Proctor, Proctorial Body, Hall Provost, Transport Administrator and several other key officials also stepped down.
The absence of a new Vice-Chancellor has resulted in multiple other critical administrative positions remaining vacant. This has led to a suspension of Syndicate meetings and Academic Council sessions, increasing administrative complications. Despite the continuation of classes, exams and other activities, the university has been without a Proctor for over a month.
The position of Hall Provost is also vacant, creating additional challenges. The hall management staff are receiving no specific instructions, leaving students unable to report or resolve issues effectively. The question now is when this paralysis will end, with a pressing demand for the swift appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor.
Since Prof Sadeka Halim's resignation, both faculty members and students have been advocating for the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor from among the university's own staff. Ongoing activities include human chains, signature campaigns, sit-ins, gate-lock threats, and submissions of memorandums to the Education Secretary. Despite the Vice-Chancellors at other leading universities are already appointed , Jagannath University remains without one. Protesters are demanding that a Vice-Chancellor be appointed from the university's own faculty as soon as possible.
Currently, three senior professors are prominent candidates for the Vice-Chancellor position. They are Prof Dr Rais Uddin, Chairman of the Islamic Studies Department and General Secretary of the Pro-BNP teachers' organization Sada Dal, Prof Dr Rezaul Karim, retired Prof of the Social Work Department; and Prof Dr Payer Ahmed from the Mathematics Department.
Masud Rana, a student from the Department of Physics, said, "We urgently need a Vice-Chancellor to address reform of the university. The prolonged absence of a Vice-Chancellor is causing numerous complications. Other universities have already appointed their Vice-Chancellors. We demand that a Vice-Chancellor be appointed from among our own teachers without further delay."
Associate Prof Dr Mohammad Bilal Hossain from the History Department said, "The prolonged vacancy of the Vice-Chancellor position is leading to administrative issues. Upgradation and filling of vacant administrative roles are being hampered.
Educational, research, and infrastructural development are all being disrupted. In these circumstances, we strongly urge for the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor from our own faculty as quickly as possible."
Syndicate member Prof Dr Parimal Bala stated, "There are several tasks within the university that cannot proceed without a Vice-Chancellor. Syndicate meetings and Academic Council sessions are also not possible without a Vice-Chancellor. Appointing a new Vice-Chancellor will resolve these issues and enable the appointment of heads for the various critical departments."
Treasurer Prof Dr Humayun Kabir Chowdhury added, "The main problem is that crucial decisions need to be made in the Academic Council and Syndicate meetings. The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for calling these meetings. Additionally, with no Proctor, Provost, or Transport Administrator in place, one person is left to handle all responsibilities, creating a significant challenge."
