Addressing the Dhaka University’s 53rd convocation, President Abdul Hamid on Saturday said respect for teachers in society is gradually shrinking due to the activities of some vice-chancellors and teachers. The president, who is also the chancellor of the university, said that the main responsibility of some vice-chancellors is to give jobs to family members and loyalists and take administrative and financial privileges in various ways. Besides, many teachers also consider university jobs as an ‘optional duty’ as they prefer to take part-time courses, evening courses or classes in private universities.
We think President Abdul Hamid rightly pointed out the issue as some VCs nepotism in recruiting teachers and staffs at different public universities, is threatening the country’s higher educational institutions’ atmosphere.
In a university, the VC is the person next in rank below the chancellor, who acts as the chancellor’s deputy or substitute. Therefore, country’s people from all walks of life believe that the head of the state or the government appoints a VC who is capable to work tirelessly rising above personal and political interests to enrich the university with quality education, research and other curricula.
The VCs should devote themselves to the welfare of the students and institution as they are highly qualified with higher virtues, knowledge, and wisdom.
Immediate measures should
be taken so that the
dignity of the entire teaching
community is not undermined due to the
activities of a few dishonest people
It is very shameful for all us as well as the nation to see the VCs have been accused of gross nepotism in appointing their sons, daughters, nephews, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law’s son to different positions at their respective universities apart from other unethical activities. Therefore, such unlawful, unethical and immoral activities are polluting the academic activities and depriving the meritorious students of the country.
Besides, pro-vice-chancellors, deans and heads of departments are also engaged in such unethical and immoral activities.
Therefore, the honourable President and the Prime Minister will have to think, rethink, check and cross check before giving appointment of a personality as VC of a public university.
All universities should have master plans and academic development plans in order to turn the universities into knowledge-hub. If VCs and teachers work with honesty and dedication only then they could manage to take our universities to new heights. Otherwise, the image of the country’s prestigious universities will be tarnished.
Therefore, immediate measures should be taken so that the dignity of the entire teaching community is not undermined due to the activities of a few dishonest people.
