Education Adviser Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar has warned that petty infighting among academics will severely jeopardize the nation’s aspiration to build a new Bangladesh.
He made the remarks on Sunday while addressing a discussion at Rajshahi University’s Senate Building as part of celebrations marking the institution’s 72nd founding anniversary.
Reflecting on past trends in Bangladesh’s universities, Abrar criticized practices where recruiting voters took precedence over appointing qualified teachers. "We come to universities to nurture intellect and acquire knowledge. If we engage in factional conflicts here, the dream of building a new country will fail miserably," he said. He urged faculty members to ensure their activities do not tarnish the academic environment.
Abrar also recounted disturbing instances from universities, saying, "At my university, the proctor prioritized liaising with police over ensuring students’ safety, and even monitored what students posted on social media. This shows how low we have stooped as educators." He contrasted this with the legacy of Dr. Shamsuzzoha of Rajshahi University, who famously stood unarmed before police to protect his students, versus a former Dhaka University vice-chancellor who allegedly ordered police to open fire on students.
Addressing students, the adviser urged them not to disrespect teachers and to pursue their demands through dialogue. "Vice-chancellors did not beg for their positions; we persuaded them to take on this responsibility. To build a new Bangladesh, we must be patient and tolerant," he added.
Presiding over the event, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Saleh Hasan Naqib warned against divisive politics infiltrating university spaces, saying, "We evaluate our university in a global context, but petty politics has taken root here. Even faculty recruitment faces obstacles. If you prioritize narrow political interests over the university’s, the institution will suffer." He emphasized the need to uphold the sacrifice of those who shed blood for the university, calling betrayal in this regard "the gravest form of treachery."
The discussion also featured Professor Emeritus A K M Azharul Islam from the Physics Department as the chief speaker, along with Pro-Vice Chancellors Prof Mohammad Main Uddin (Administration), Prof Farid Uddin Khan (Education), and Treasurer Prof Md Matiar Rahman.
Earlier in the day, the celebrations began at 10:30 AM with the national anthem and flag hoisting, followed by the release of balloons, festoons, and doves. The education adviser later led a procession and planted a tree to mark the occasion.
