Graft at public universities: Political affiliations of VCs to blame

Opposition lawmakers yesterday slammed the government for failing to control corruption and irregularities at public universities.

Vice chancellors appointed for their political affiliations is a reason why there are widespread irregularities at the universities, they said while discussing a bill for a university in Pirojpur.

The issue was discussed in parliament at a time when several public university vice-chancellors are under investigation by the University Grants Commission.

The allegations are mostly of nepotism, corruption and negligence of duty.

Education Minister Dipu Moni said, "There are criticisms about the activities of some of the vice chancellors… And action is being taken against them. But it would not be wise to make wholesale comments regarding all vice chancellors."

The minister placed the "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University of Science and Technology, Pirojpur Bill-2022" in parliament yesterday.

Opposition lawmakers demanded the bill be withdrawn and sent to the selection committee to solicit public opinion.

BNP lawmaker Harunur Rashid said the government is founding public universities one after another. "But what state are the universities in? In some cases, vice chancellors needed police protection to leave the campus. Scandalous information regarding the appointment of RUET [Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology] VC has surfaced."

Qualified educationists should be appointed as VCs, he added.

The quality of education has deteriorated, he further said, adding that no teacher or employee has been recruited in schools and colleges in the last 10 to 15 years without the exchange of bribes.

The number of unemployed graduates are on the rise because of the absence of quality education, he said.

BNP MP Rumeen Farhana said the universities are playing almost no role in creating employment.

Jatiya Party MP Mujibul Haque Chunnu said, "There was a time when people bowed down in respect before university vice chancellors. But now we feel ashamed for the vice chancellors' involvement in corruption and irregularities.

"We often read in the news that VCs recruit their family members and relatives to their universities."

The JP secretary general then demanded appointment of VCs without political considerations.

Dipu Moni said academic excellence, research and the ability to lead an institution are considered when an individual is picked as the possible VC.

The government is working to improve the standard of education, she addded.