CU teachers' rep to senate polls today amid boycott by white panel

The election to teachers' representatives of Chittagong University's senate, the highest policy-making body, will be held today after 14 years with boycotting of pro-BNP-Jamaat teachers.

Dr Mohammad Hasan, a teacher from pro-BNP and Jamaat-backed white panel, told The Daily Star that they are boycotting the election as the vice-chancellor didn't pay heed to their request of holding elections to all the three categories of senate--teachers' representatives, CU Central Students' Union (Cucsu) and registered graduates.

When contacted, CU VC Prof Anwarul Azim Arif said a committee has already been formed to hold Cucsu polls.

Prof Gazi Saleh Uddin of sociology department said, "The vice-chancellor has arranged this election to get re-elected tactfully."

Of the 101 members of senate, 63 are elected members while the rest are selected from various professionals, including lawmakers, government officers and educationalists. Of the 63 members, 33 are teachers' representatives while 25 registered graduates and five representatives from Cucsu.

Thirty three pro-Awami League teachers from yellow panel and seven other teachers are contesting for 33 member posts of senate from teachers. Over 739 teachers are likely to cast their votes in the election.

The last election to teachers' representatives was held in 2001 while Cucsu polls in 1990 and election to registered graduates in 1986 though as per the university act elections to the three categories should be held in every three years.