RU brought to its knees in 5 yrs

PSS convenor Prof Abdus Sobhan read out the eight-page 'white paper' at a press conference held at the Jubery Bhaban.

He alleged that image of the internationally reputed university has been shattered by 'corruption, nepotism and politicisation' by its authorities in last five years.

A number of senior teachers who are members of PSS steering committee were present at the press conference. They included Dr Saiful Islam, Dr Abdus Sobhan, Dr Zehadul Karim and Prof Moloy Bhoumik.

Violation of rules in the academic field started with the 'illegal replacement' of RU Senate-elected vice-chancellor Prof M Saidur Rahman Khan with Prof Faisul Islam Faruki in November 13, 2001, the white paper said.

"The present VC, Prof Altaf Hossain, purposefully amended the Business Studies Faculty Ordinance by a executive order to allow party cadres to appear at examinations", it said.

No Senate meeting was called in last five years, which is violation of university rules.

"The VC committed a moral crime by unlawfully recruiting teachers in Law and Justice, Chemistry, Marketing, Fisheries and Folklore departments, bypassing selection committees and without caring for newspaper advertisements and their qualification".

Defying the Planning Committee, teachers having one First Class or no First Class were appointed in Islamic History and Culture, Computer Science, Damatics and Music departments, keeping aside applicants with four First Class degrees, the white paper said.

Two prominent teachers Prof Muhammad Yunus and Dr S Taher Ahmed-- were killed by terrorists having links with a fundamentalist party but RU authorities helped the killers instead of assisting law enforcing agencies to probe the murders.

A police investigation found that a teacher of the department and RU Shibir president masterminded the murder, the white paper said.

Irregularities crossed all previous records when the VC illegally allowed RU Shibir president and principal accused in Taher murder case to appear at examinations with only 16 percent class attendance, which is much below the required percentage. The white paper claimed that RU VC Faruki and pro VC Prof Sahadat Hossain Mondol, with the backing of some ruling party leaders, appointed 546 employees who include alleged terrorists.