IU teachers non-cooperate with acting VC

The present chaotic situation as regards holding of classes and examination will prolong as the teachers' non-cooperation will continue till a new VC is appointed, campus sources said.

The teachers are demanding removal of the Prof Karim as acting VC and appointment of a new VC from among them.

Yesterday's meeting of the Islamic University Teachers Association (IUTA) was held with its president Prof Faez Moahhad Sirazul Haq in the chair.

The sources said at least 250 teachers aligned with different political parties attended the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, many of them expressed their anger over appointment of Prof Karim as acting VC on Tuesday.

The teachers were demanding a new VC after Prof Rafiqul Islam, 8th VC of the university, resigned on June 22 in face of agitation by Jatyiatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of ruling BNP.

Sources said Prof. Karim, who was treasurer of the university, was asked to carry out only 'financial and administrative responsibilities' in addition to his routine work as treasurer.

Most of the deans, departmental heads and senior teachers objected to his authority when he called a meeting as an 'acting vice-chancellor' on Thursday. The teachers asked Prof Karim to clarify his post, designation and duties.

On Sunday Prof. Karim left Kushtia for Dhaka to meet higher authorities there over the issue, campus sources said.

Letter, on Tuesday, a letter was faxed to the registrar of the university from Education Ministry, giving Prof karim 'all powers of VC and asked him to carry out duties of VC until a new VC is appointed'.

Yesterday was first day of Prof. Karim at office.

But soon after he took his chair some teachers phoned him asking him not to discharge any duty as acting VC till the IUTA meeting ends, some teacher told The Daily Star yesterday seeking anonymity.

But Prof. Karim ignored the calls.

The IUTA meeting started at about 10:30 am.

The meeting unanimously reached a decision not to cooperate with the 'acting VC'.

The meeting also decided to ignore any decision the acting VC takes.

The meeting urged the chancellor of the university and the education minister to take an immediate decision to appoint a new VC from among teachers of the university.

An unstable situation started in the university started on May 18 after the then VC Prof Rafiqul Islam recruited 88 people against 53 vacant posts, violating rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Most of the recruits were activists or supporters of ruling BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Soon after, BNP and its fronts organisations started agitation for more jobs for their party men at the university. They demanded at least 200 jobs, campus sources said.

The university was closed amid violence by JCD for more jobs. VC Prof Rafiqul Islam left the campus on May 19 in the face of JCD agitation.

After 20 days, the university was opened on June 11. But a virtually the dead lock situation was prevailing as the VC did not return to the campus.

When contacted, Prof. Faez Moahhad Sirazul Haq, president of IUTA said the decision to non-cooperate with the acting VC was taken unanimously where at least 250 teachers were present.

Talking to The Daily Star, Prof Rashid, an eminent writer and columnist and Chairman of the department of English said the situation has not been created overnight. "It is the result of a lot of past anomalies. So the government should immediately pay attention to the issue and fulfill IUTA's demand", he said.