Discussions underway following resignation of Prof Niaz Ahmad Khan; two female academicians among contenders for Vice-Chancellor (VC) position at country's premier university
Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Khan has submitted his resignation, sparking discussions about potential successors for the top post at the country's premier university. He formally submitted his resignation letter to Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon on Sunday morning.
Seven senior academicians have emerged in discussions for the Vice Chancellor (VC) position, including two female professors, as the government prepares to appoint a new leader for what is known as the Oxford of the East.
One is Prof Dr Dil Rowshan Zinnat Ara Nazneen, a senior professor in the Department of Political Science and currently serving as pro-vice chancellor of Bangladesh Open University. She is the daughter of former DU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Emazduddin Ahmad and served as joint convener of Shada Dal, the organisation of BNP-affiliated teachers.
The other is Prof Dr Tahmina Akhter (Toffy), former director of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at DU. She has been involved in teaching and research on social work and social development for over three decades. A specialist in clinical social work, she serves as general secretary of the Bangladesh Council for Social Work Education and was founding general secretary of the University Teachers' Association of Bangladesh (UTAB).
She has political connections as well. Due to her active role in BNP politics, she was dismissed from her job for nearly three years during the Awami League government. In the nineties, she was elected the first vice president of Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall at DU on a Chhatra Dal panel. She has long been associated with Shada Dal.
Five other senior professors are being discussed as potential candidates. They are Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Prof Dr A B M Obaidul Islam from the Department of Physics, Prof Md Lutfor Rahman from the Department of Statistics, Prof Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan from the Department of Islamic History and Culture, and Prof Dr Md Morshed Hasan Khan from the Department of Marketing.
Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed currently serves as DU's Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic). He is a former general secretary of the teachers' association and served as convener of DU BNP-Jamaat backed teachers' organization Sada Dal. He previously served as an adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and held the position of president of Jasas, the party's social and cultural wing.
Prof Dr A B M Obaidul Islam currently serves as vice chancellor of Bangladesh Open University and president of the University Teachers' Association of Bangladesh (UTAB). He is also central education affairs secretary of BNP. During the Awami League government's tenure, he served twice as convener of DU Sada Dal. He was dismissed from his job for his long involvement in teachers' rights movements but later reinstated following a court order.
Prof Md Lutfor Rahman is currently serving as pro-vice chancellor of National University. He is also a former convener of Shada Dal and was previously elected co-president of the DU Teachers' Association.
Prof Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan is the current dean of the Faculty of Arts and chairman of the Department of Islamic History and Culture.
Prof Dr Md Morshed Hasan Khan is the current convener of Shada Dal and general secretary of UTAB. He also serves as public education secretary of BNP's executive committee and as a member of the party's media cell. He was dismissed from his job during what has been termed the Awami fascist era and was reinstated to his position after 5 August.
Additional names mentioned in discussions include current Treasurer Prof Dr M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury from the Department of Finance, who played a brave role during the July uprising, and Prof Dr Borhan Uddin Khan, a senior professor from the Law Department and former dean.
Prof Niaz Ahmad Khan had expressed his intention to step down during an emergency press conference on February 10, stating he was prepared to continue until necessary according to the government's decision to maintain continuity at the university.
He was appointed as the 30th vice chancellor of Dhaka University on 26 August 2024. Previously, he served as acting vice chancellor of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
