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Thursday, August 9, 2012

[chottala.com] Political loyalty over democracy

Political loyalty over democracy

Mohiuddin Alamgir looks into the stalemate situation at various public
institutions of the country and the causes behind them

It is widely known that a university is not just an educational
institute but a place where future leaders are produced as their
leadership skills are honed by learning democratic values and
fostering cultural and intellectual values of the country. Public
universities in almost all developed and rapidly developing countries
are playing a catalytic role at ensuring development and sustenance of
skilled and efficient human resources.

Against this backdrop, however, if we look to the leading public
universities of our nation, we will unfortunately see an opposite
trend as most university authorities are plunged in undemocratic
practices, thus dwelling a negative blow on the various forms of
leadership that could have grown out of these academia.

Leading public universities of Bangladesh are running with non elected
and ruling party nominated vice-chancellors, registered graduate
representatives to the senate and students unions thus defying rules
and regulations of these universities. As the top bosses of the
universities are not appointed as per rules and regulations, they are
not appointed on the basis of academic, intellectual or management
skills or merit but political ones, selected by the ruling parties or
their leaders, as these individuals remain very much loyal to the
government. As a result of this they blatantly behave like political
activists and not as an educationalist.

With partisans placed in top positions of the universities, in most
cases highly qualified, experienced, internationally well-known
academics with proven track- record are left out in the cold. Such
selected vice-chancellors, loyal to the government, almost always fail
to safeguard the interest of teachers, students and the large number
of staff members, which eventually interrupts normal educational
atmosphere, leading to campus violence that further hampers academic
activities inside the universities and colleges.

Violent activities in the public campuses were carried out mainly by
the ruling Awami League-backed student organisation Bangladesh Chhatra
League, which has become a synonym for dominance in the academic
institutions, according to teachers and students. An exasperated
University Grants Commission has already expressed its concern about
the recurring protests and violence in public universities, which is
further ruining the image of the academic scene of the nation.

Vice-chancellors panel elections, registered graduate representatives'
elections to senates of the Dhaka University, Rajshahi University,
Chittagong University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology,
and Khulna University have been due for a number of years.

No VC panel elections to the Chittagong University was held in 20
years, Rajshahi University in 12 years, Dhaka University in eight
years, thus clearly violating the 1973 ordinance, followed by these
universities. Jahangirnagar University, held its vice-chancellor panel
election on July 20, after eight years from the last.
The 1973 ordinance says 'The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the
Chancellor for a period of four years from a panel of three persons to
be nominated by the Senate on such terms and conditions as may be
determined by the Chancellor, and shall be eligible for re-appointment
for a further period of four years.'

Elections of registered graduate and teachers' representatives to
senate of Chittagong University were not held in last the 26 and 11
years respectively. In Shahjalal University of Science and Technology,
elections of registered graduate and teachers' representatives to
senate were not held in past 21 years. In Rajshahi University,
registered graduate representatives election was not held in last 18
years and teachers' representatives election was not held in last
seven years.

In other universities, like Khulna University, the last senate
election was held seven years ago. In Jahangirnagar University
registered graduate representatives election was not held in last 14
years and teachers' representatives election was held in 2010.

In Dhaka University, registered graduate and teachers' representatives
election was held in 2009.

No VC panel elections were held in Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology (BUET), Shahjalal University of Science and
Technology and Khulna University since 1991 as there are no provisions
in their ordinances, said authorities.

Meanwhile elections to the students unions of different universities
were not held in about two decades, virtually keeping students away
from providing their consents about running these universities.

Also, no initiatives of holding vice-chancellor panel elections are in
sight by the selected vice-chancellors of universities and elections
to the students union of afore mentioned universities have remained
elusive although students are rallying for elections.

Chittagong University
In Chittagong University vice-chancellor panel election did not happen
for the past 24 years. Instead the appointment has gone to persons
selected by the ruling government during this long period.

The university has had eight persons as vice-chancellor by the
selection of ruling government in last 20 years. The present VC
Anwarul Azim Arif is the last one who was appointed on June 15, 2011.
University sources inform Xtra that only two vice-chancellors were
elected by the election of senate after the establishment of the
university. Professor Mohammed Ali was elected in 1985 and Professor
Alamgir Mohammed Sirajuddin was elected in 1988.

Professor Alamgir Mohammed Sirajuddin was pressed to resign from VC
post on December 29, 1991 by then ruling government, the very next
day. The then ruling BNP government appointed another VC thus ignoring
the university ordinance of 1973.

After the incident, all ruling governments appointed VCs at the
institution in such manners. The university sources informed that
professor Abdul Mannan was appointed for the VC post in 1996 during
the Awami League regime. Professor Fazle Hossain was appointed for VC
post in 2001. Later, professor AJM Nuruddin was appointed in 2002,
Professor Badiul Alam in 2006, Professor Abu Yusuf in 2009 and
professor Alauddin as acting VC in 2010.

The administrative officials of the university inform Xtra that the
senate elections for teachers' representatives ought to take place
after every three years. But the election occurred the last time on
February 10, 2001 at the university. Similarly, the last registered
graduate representatives' election was held on November 2, 1986. The
student representatives' election was held on February, 1990.

The senate is inactive at the university as the senate's main role is
to elect the VC, according to the ordinance. The registered graduate
representatives' election to the senate was held last in 1986 and
teachers' representative election was held in 2001.
Since the Chittagong University Central Students Union elections were
held in 1990, the student's representatives' seats at the senate have
remained vacant for about two decades.

A former VC of CU tells New Age, 'The system of appointing
vice-chancellor has to stop.' He also feels the need for a senate
election to change the persistent culture of selection.CU
vice-chancellor Anwarul Azim Arif tells Xtra that whenever the
institution takes initiatives of holding registered graduate elections
and others for the senate, the university faces numerous cases against
the elections' organisation, filed by people.

Rajshahi University
In Rajshahi University, the vice-chancellor panel election was not
held in the past 12 years. Instead the appointment has gone to persons
selected by the ruling government during this long period as the last
VC panel election was held in 1999.
Similarly, the last registered graduate representatives election to
the senate was held in 1994 and teachers' representatives election was
held in 2005.

No senate sessions were held since 2001, informs Rajshahi University
sources, although it is mandatory for the senate members to assemble
at least once a year.
Sources divulge to Xtra that the current administration seems
indifferent towards holding senate session and polls over its tenure
while the previous administration backed by BNP-Jamaat led government
took no move during their tenure.

As per the 1973 act, a vital role of the Senate is to finalise a
three-member Vice-Chancellor panel to choose the vice-chancellor. Also
the Rajshahi University Central Students Union election was held in
1989.

Rajshshi University vice-chancellor Abdus Sobahan was not available to
comment on the delay in the elections. Pro-vice-chancellor Muhammad
Nurullah tells Xtra that the vice-chancellor knows all about the
matter.

University of Dhaka
Vice-chancellor panel election at the University of Dhaka did not
occur since the last vice-chancellor panel election in 2004.Last May,
the High Court asked the vice-chancellor of Dhaka University to
explain why he would not be directed to call a senate session keeping
the agenda of nominating a three-member panel in appointing
vice-chancellor to the university.

DU Teachers Association general secretary professor Wahiduzzaman Chan
filed the petition on May 13. The petitioner introduced himself as a
senate member and director of the Institute of Education and
Research.30 senate members including Wahiduzzaman Chan sent a letter
to vice-chancellor professor AAMS Arefin Siddique to select a panel
for election to the office of vice-chancellor on April 25 last.
The last registered graduate representatives' election to the senate
was held in June 2009 and teachers' representatives' election was held
in the same month. The terms of both expired in June. Dhaka University
Central Students Union election was held in 1991,

When asked, AAMS Arefin Siddique says, VC panel election and DUCSU
elections are sub-judice matter.

Jahangirnagar University
Jahangirnagar University held its vice-chancellor panel election on
July 20, after eight years amid protests. The last registered graduate
representatives' election was held in 1998.

Teachers, teamed up as Sammilita Shikkhak Parishad, rallied on the
campus to push for the elections to the positions of the deans, the
syndicate and the senate before the vice-chancellor's panel polls.
Classes and tests at most of the faculties were cancelled because of
the teachers' protests from July 14–20.
JU VC Anwar Hossain tells Xtra, the VC panel election was held last
month. All other elections will be held very soon.

Khulna University vice-chancellor Mohammad Foyek Uzzaman, Bangladesh
University of Engineering and Technology registrar Abu Siddique,
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) registrar
Ishfaqul Hussain said that their university ordinances do have
provisions of holding VC panel elections.
Foyek Uzzaman shares that the last senate election in Khulna
University was held in 2004. Ishfaqul Hussain also points out that at
the SUST, elections of registered graduate and teachers'
representatives to senate was last held in 1991.
University Grants Commission chairman AK Azad Chowdhury clarifies to
Xtra that according to rules and regulations of the UGC, it has
nothing to do with elections of the universities. 'But personally I
believe there should be elections,' he adds.

Delay in these elections has prompted movements against
vice-chancellors across the country. Teachers and students rallying
against top administrators in universities and colleges offering
tertiary education is also spoiling the atmosphere at the institutions
while hindering academic life.

Vice-chancellor of four leading universities, BUET, DU, Jahangirnagar
University and Rajshahi University are facing movements currently. At
least four tertiary-level educational institutions were closed in the
wake of violent protests in the past month while several other such
institutions are in stalemates facing movements.
Authorities of Jahangirnagar University, Pabna University of Science
and Technology and Murari Chand College in Sylhet have been closed
amid campus violence.
BUET was closed on July 10 in the wake of a movement of teachers and
students against the vice-chancellor, SM Nazrul Islam, and the
pro-vice-chancellor, Habibur Rahman.

Earlier, BUET teachers, students and employees rallied on the campus
to push for their demand for the removal of the vice-chancellor and
the pro-vice-chancellor.
Academic activities at the university are yet to resume though BUET
protestors postponed their agitation following the High Court order
that put an injunction on their movement. The High Court on July 31
ordered an injunction on the current movement of BUET teachers,
students and employees demanding removal of the vice-chancellor and
the pro-vice-chancellor.

Earlier, on July 10, the teachers issued an ultimatum to the
vice-chancellor and the pro-vice-chancellor to quit their offices by
July 14. The teachers, students and employees staged sit-ins on the
campus, silent processions, submitted memorandum to president Zillur
Rahman, who is also the university's chancellor, in a bid to realise
their demands.

A fresh round of protests occurred in front of the council building on
July 21, after a break of two days on July 18 and 19. The teachers'
association earlier threatened to go for mass resignation.

The education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, held two rounds of meeting
on July 16 and 30 on the crisis which ended without any major
decisions being reached to end the stalemate.On July 11, all the five
deans and the 17 department heads and directors of three institutes
under the university resigned as the vice-chancellor and the
pro-vice-chancellor refused to quit.

The teachers earlier rallied against the administration between April
8 and May 5, pushing for removal of the two top officials. The
protestors had also submitted a memorandum to the president.Protestors
earlier labelled 16 allegations against the vice-chancellor and the
pro-vice-chancellor including 'illegal appointment of the
pro-vice-chancellor and a deputy registrar on political grounds and,
corruption and irregularities.'BUET vice-chancellor SM Nazrul Islam
told New Age that the ongoing movement against him was 'illogical'.

***
Jahangirnagar university authorities closed their university till
August 25 after violent clashes between students, mostly Chhatra
League activists, and the police on August 1 and 2 erupted. At least
30 were injured in the clashes.

Jahangirnagar University has witnessed several rounds of protests in
recent times. The university has also seen months of protests after
English department student Zubair Ahmed died on January 9 after being
tortured by a group of activists of the Chhatra League on the campus
the day before.

Shariff Enamul Kabir, who was vice-chancellor then, was removed from
his position in the face of protests by students and teachers. DU
teacher Anwar Hossain replaced Enamul Kabir as the vice-chancellor on
May 17.Anwar Hossain told New Age that it was 'really unfortunate'
when teachers were responsible for such stalemates. 'Such campus
crisis could be resolved through discussions and not by pressuring the
authorities,' he said.
***
Normal academic atmosphere was hampered at the Rajshahi University as
a group of teachers, widely known for being backed by the main
opposition BNP, continued their demonstration in protest of killing
Sohel Rana, a social welfare student of the university who died
following a factional clash between two BCL rival groups during the
alleged collection of money for Padma Bridge funds on July 16.
The teachers demanded punishments of the killers of Sohel Rana and
removal of the vice-chancellor professor Abdus Sobhan for his
'failure' to ensure security at the university.

The agitating teachers termed Sobhan as 'unelected and corrupt'. They
added that as he has failed to maintain congenial environment in the
university he should be removed from his post.As Sobhan was not
available to comment on the matter, pro vice-chancellor M Nurul Ullah
told New Age, a vested quarter was plotting to destabilise the campus.
***
A group of Dhaka University students teamed up as Shikkharti Adhikar
Mancha enforced a strike on July 20 at the campus as the authorities
did not respond to an ultimatum for the announcement of a date for
elections to university central students' union. No classes were held
on the day.

Previously, on July 10, following an altercation between BCL and
teachers at the university, a group of BCL leaders locked classrooms
of the fine arts faculty resulting in three days of class
closure.Apart from the incident, the administration is facing hurdles
in tackling the situation of the DU as a large number of teachers are
opposing incumbent vice-chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique.As a part of
rivalry with Arefin, recently the DU Pro-VC Harun Ur Rashid and the
treasurer Mizanur Rahman resigned from their posts over 'differences
of opinion' with VC about running the university.

Dhaka University vice-chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddiqui tells Xtra that
the same group of people who are trying to create anarchy in the
country is also conspiring in the campuses.
***
The scenario is not very different at smaller universities and colleges.
Teachers of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology in Gazipur
have been rallying for the appointment of a vice-chancellor from among
the teachers of the university since late June, as the post has
remained vacant since the time.
Teachers and students of Patuakhli Science and Technology University
and Rokeya University in Rangpur have also rallied against their
vice-chancellors alleging corruption and irregularities against them.

Pabna Science and Technology University was closed on August 2 for 31
days amid campus violence in which 10 people became injured. Earlier,
the students had boycotted their classes since July 17 pushing a
charter of their nine demands, including the resignation of their
vice-chancellor, Mozaffar Hossain.

Students of Dhaka College, Eden Girls' College, Tejgaon College,
Titumir Government College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Suhrawardy
Government College, Burhanuddin College, Bangla College at Mirpur and
others have been rallying since April demanding solutions to delays in
their academic life.
The students, teamed ups as Students' Action Council for Removal of
Session Jam, demanded a permanent solution to such delays in academic
life and publication of results in three months after
examinations.The UGC chairman, AK Azad Chowdhury, tells Xtra that
teachers and students should resolve the issues through discussions.
***
Incidents of campus violence, which break out at regular intervals,
continue to hamper academic activities in universities and colleges,
forcing students to bear the brunt. Violent activities carried out
mainly by the ruling Awami League-backed student organisation
Bangladesh Chhatra League are also a big concern, teachers and
students said.

On August 7, at least 25 students were injured, four of them shot with
bullets, in a series of clashes between two factions of the BCL on the
campus of Islamic University in Kushtia and adjoining areas.

Murari Chand College in Sylhet has been closed since July 8 after its
century-old hostel was set on fire during a clash between the Chhatra
League and Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of the Bangladesh
Jamaat-e-Islami.Teachers of Khulna University of Engineering and
Technology went on strike in May protesting at a case being filed
against some teachers by Chhatra League leaders in connection with a
clash in January.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology was closed in March
after the death of Chhatra League leader Abdul Aziz Sajib in
infighting.In factional and opposition clashes, several students were
killed and injured severely this year at Chittagong University.

Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra League embroiled into clashes at the SUST
in January. Later in April, Bangladesh Chhatra Dal (BCD), student wing
of BNP, and BCL fought in the campus. On April 30, four rooms in Zia
dormitory of Rangpur Medical College (RMC) were vandalised when Shibir
activists allegedly opted to take hold of rooms around 11:30pm. BCL
activists alleged that the rooms belonged to them.
On July 14, a day prior to the election of the colleges' students
union at Pirojpur Government Suhrawardy College, a clash broke out
between the BCL and BCD. This drove authorities to postpone the
elections and shut the campus for an indefinite period. Bogra Medical
College followed, and closed soon after on July 23.
Like the previous year of this elected government, BCL, the ruling
party-backed student organisation, remains one of the main antagonists
of overall campus instability. According to some students, over a span
of three years, BCL has emerged as a synonym for violence and anarchy
within educational institutions across the country.

Furthermore, as per a report of The New Age, published in January this
year, at least 15 students/student activists were killed in clashes by
the BCL. Additionally, 19 were killed in clashes between student
bodies since 2009 and BCL was found responsible for most of the
casualties, as per reports published in The New Age during September,
2011.

The UGC in a statement expressed concern about the protests and
violent incidents in different educational institutions. 'The
prevailing situation will hamper the tertiary-level education,' said a
statement issued by the commission.
The Chhatra League's general secretary Siddique Nazmul Alam said that
none of their activists were involved in campus violence. 'We will
take stern action against anyone found to be involved in such
violence,' he adds.

http://newagebd.com/supliment.php?sid=107


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[chottala.com] শুক্রবার ওম ;রাহ পালন কর 76;েন খালেদা জ&# 2495;য়া(May Allah Rabbul Alamin accept her Umrah and praye r as well as protect her from Awami Julum, Ameen,)



 

 

Many thanks to Saudi King Abdullah for receioving Begum Zia as Royal guest. By honoring Begum Zia , Saudi King honored
entire Bangladeshi people.
 

শুক্রবার ওমরাহ পালন করবেন খালেদা জিয়া


স্পেশাল করেসপন্ডেন্ট
বাংলানিউজটোয়েন্টিফোর.কম
ঢাকা: শুক্রবার পবিত্র মক্কা নগরীতে গিয়ে ওমরাহ পালন এবং জুমা, আসর, মাগরিব তারাবি ও এশার নামাজ আদায় করবেন বিএনপির চেয়ারপারসন ও বিরোধী দলীয় নেতা খালেদা জিয়া। তিনি সফরসঙ্গীদের নিয়ে দেশ ও জাতির মঙ্গলের জন্য বিশেষ মোনাজাতও করবেন।

এদিকে সৌদি আরবে খালেদা জিয়ার সঙ্গে যোগ দিয়েছেন তার ছোট ছেলে আরাফাত রহমান কোকোর স্ত্রী ও সন্তানেরা। বৃহস্পতিবার সিঙ্গাপুর থেকে দুবাই হয়ে সৌদি আরবে পৌঁছে খালেদা জিয়ার সফরসঙ্গী হন তারা।

বাংলানিউজকে এসব তথ্য জানিয়েছেন বিএনপি নেত্রীর প্রেস সেক্রেটারি মারুফ কামাল খান।


৯ দিনের ব্যক্তিগত সফরে বুধবার বাংলাদেশ সময় সন্ধ্যা ৭টা ১০ মিনিটে এমিরেটস এয়ারলাইন্সের একটি ফ্লাইটে সৌদি আরবের উদ্দেশ্যে রওনা হন খালেদা জিয়া। বিএনপি নেত্রী স্থানীয় সময় বৃহস্পতিবার সকাল ৯টা ২০ মিনিটে সৌদি আরবের জেদ্দা বিমানবন্দরে পৌঁছান।

তিনি এখন রয়েল কনফারেন্স প্যালেসে অবস্থান করছেন। বিএনপি প্রধান বাদশাহর রাজকীয় মেহমান হিসাবে এখানে অবস্থান করছেন। তার সঙ্গে আছেন তার ছোট ছেলে আরাফাত রহমানে স্ত্রী ও তার সন্তানেরা এবং শামিম এস্কান্দারের স্ত্রী কানিজ ফাতেমা তার সন্তানেরা।

এছাড়াও আছেন বিএনপি চেয়ারপারসন খালেদা জিয়ার সৌদি আরবের বিশেষ দূত এনামুল হক চৌধুরী ও এপিএস সুরাতুজ্জামান।

তারা সকলেই সৌদি বাদশাহর রাজকীয় মেহমান হিসাবে আছেন বলেও জানান মারুফ কামাল খান।
খালেদা জিয়া বৃহস্পতিবার তায়েফে রাত্রিযাপন শেষে শুক্রবার পবিত্র মক্কা নগরীতে যাবেন। সেখানে তিনি ওমরাহ পালন এবং জুমা, আসর, মাগরিব, তারাবি ও এশা নামাজ আদায় করবেন। দেশ ও জাতির মঙ্গলের জন্য বিশেষ মোনাজাতও করবেন খালেদা জিয়া। এ সময় তার সফরসঙ্গীরা সঙ্গে থাকবেন।

তিনি শুক্রবার রাতেই মদিনার রয়েল কনফারেন্স প্যালেসে ফিরে আসবেন। এখানে আল মোনাওরায় মসজিদে নববিতে এতেক্বাফে বসার কথা রয়েছে তার।

আগামী ২৯ রমজান দেশে ফেরার কথা রয়েছে খালেদা জিয়ার।


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