RU administrative work at a standstill

Most academic and administrative activities at Rajshahi University have ground to a halt as it has been running without a vice-chancellor and a pro vice-chancellor for 21 days.

Although tenures of the posts of VC Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin and Pro VC Prof Sarwar Jahan expired on March 19, no appointment was given as of yesterday.  

RU Officials said the absence of the two posts are affecting the university's academic and administrative activities including forming different committees such as the exams committee, finance committee; publishing results, issuing  certificates, holding meetings of the academic committee and organising discussions or seminars.

Prof Asabul Haque, controller of examinations, said, most of the functions in the university require approval from the vice-chancellor. Although most other routine work are being carried out as per rules, but all the work conducted by the office of exams control is now on hold without the approval of the VC.

As a result, they cannot publish results of 11 departments under nine faculties despite having the result sheets in hand already. Students cannot collect certificates, transcripts and other urgent documents due to the same problem, he added.

Many teachers said they are suffering heavily under the circumstances.  

Some of them were set to go abroad for academic purposes and some others for medical treatment, but they are unable to leave the country now without any “no objection” certificate from the VC, said Prof Shah Azam Shantonu, general secretary of RU Teachers Association.

“Promotion and recruitment of a number of key positions are on hold now due to the vacancy [of the post of VC and Pro VC]. Also, many different scheduled seminars or symposiums cannot be held because of it,” he added.

Some of the teachers speculated that university employees including teachers and officers may not get their salaries for April unless the posts are filled by April 20.

However, RU Treasurer Sayen Uddin Ahmed ruled out the teachers' speculations saying that salaries will be disbursed to them in due time as he is the authorised official for the disbursement of salaries.

He also told this correspondent that most administrative work of the university is at a standstill in the absence of the VC.

The ministry concerned has been contacted several times, but it is yet to respond with a solution, he added.