BUET teachers oppose new VC

Teachers of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) have opposed the appointment of university’s new Vice Chancellor Khaleda Ekram.

On Saturday, two days after her appointment, the teacher’s association from a meeting urged the president, who is the ex-officio chancellor of all universities, to revise the decision.

After a lengthy meeting in the afternoon, association President Jainal Abedin told reporters the teachers were ‘frustrated’ and ‘angered’ by the decision.

“We are urging the president to reconsider the decision,” he said.

Asked whether the teachers would launch a movement against the decision, he said, “Admission tests are coming up, so we won’t go for any agitation programmes now. We hope that our request will be considered.”

He said otherwise the teachers would meet again to decide on the next course of action.

Architecture Professor Ekram will replace outgoing VC Prof Nazrul Islam, whose term ended on Aug 31.

She is the first female VC in the nation’s leading engineering school. The only other and the first ever public university to have a female vice-chancellor is Jahangirnagar University.

BUET teachers allege that seniority has been violated in her appointment.

Ekram joined BUET in October 1975, and became a full professor in April 1995.

Teachers association leaders said BUET VCs are appointed based on seniority. But Khaleda Ekram is the 26th senior-most professor in BUET.

Meanwhile Jahangirnagar University VC Farzana Islam has congratulated Ekram on her appointment.