VC Arefin Siddique donated over Tk 10 million of his allowances to Dhaka University

The social media is abuzz with the news of Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique not taking allowances of more than Tk 10 million and donating it instead to the university.

The matter came to light during Saturday's senate session of the Dhaka University.

Treasurer Kamal Uddin, who presented the budget before the senate on that day, raised the issue.

He said the officials like the VC, pro-VC and treasurer are entitled to sitting allowances for attending meetings and that Prof Siddique was the only one who did not take those allowances.

"According to my calculations, the vice chancellor has saved at least Tk 12.5 million of the university in the last seven years," said Treasurer Kamal Uddin.

The news made headlines on Tuesday, when it created a buzz on the internet.

VC Siddique, however, said he did not want it to be publicised.

"I did not want the matter to be public. I was not even aware that it will be raised in the senate session," he told bdnews24.com and declined any further comment on the allowances.

Several social media users lauded Prof Siddique for the gesture.

"Sir did not take Tk 12.5 million in allowances for attending meetings in the last seven years and did not even let anyone know…We salute you," Shariful Hasan, a journalist, posted on Facebook.

Another user Imran Hossain, a Chittagong University student, said, "Similar gestures from other VCs like him would have developed the universities far more."

Facebook user Faisal Yasir described the incident as a glaring example of morality when reports of VCs amassing university funds are common.