Names of four public university Vice-Chancellors are included in the draft list of Awami League’s sub-committee on education and human resources.
They are Prof Akhtaruzzaman of Dhaka University, Prof Harun-Or-Rashid of National University, Prof Mijanur Rahman of Jagannath University and Prof Kamrul Hasan Khan of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
11 more teachers of different universities have been included in the draft list of the 49-member sub-committee.
The draft list came to the media on Tuesday (October 10th).
The Vice-Chancellors talked to the Bangla Tribune regarding this issue.
Prof Akhtaruzzaman VC of Dhaka University told the Bangla Tribune, ‘The responsibility of a university's vice-chancellor means a serious matter. I cannot be a part of the committee because of the pressure of so many works here. I did not agree also.’
'There is no restriction of the university law regarding this issue. However, politics plays the major role to take the country forward. We should have a contribution there. However, I may not be a part of the committee. Moreover, it is only a draft copy. When it will be final, then I will decide,’ he added.
Prof Harun-Or-Rashid, VC of National University said, ‘'I was associated with the party committee from 1992 to 2001. Again, from 2001 to 2007, I was a member of another committee of the party. Once was involved in the direct politics of the organization. So, in this sense, it's not a new issue. In 1996 I took part in conducting the election. At that time I was a university teacher. Then, from 2009 to 2012, I was the vice-vice-chancellor of Dhaka University. However, I was not in any active committee at that period.’
Prof Mijanur Rahman VC of Jagannath University said, ‘The affiliation of the educated society with political parties paves the way of development of the country. The educated society can contribute to the development beside their jobs. On the other hand, the absence of educated persons in politics means governance of inert people. In my opinion, educated society should participate in the politics.’
He further said, ‘Teacher and vice-chancellors have been associated with party politics for many years. In the university's law or political party’s constitution, there is no such restriction that they cannot participate in the politics actively. In addition, educated people should be given such status or place in politics through which they can contribute to the development of the country by their skills and knowledge.’
Prof Kamrul Hasan Khan of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University said, ‘I have seen the news that Awami League has kept me in a draft committee. As it is not final yet, so I am not sure will they keep me in that committee or not. However, there is no university law that bars the teachers to become an active member of any party committee. Besides, since the committee has not been finalized yet, it will not be right to say anything more about this matter.’
He further said, ‘University teachers, VCs can be a member of the party committee. Dhaka University's Ordinance of 73 and Awami League constitution approves this. Only if someone wants to take part in national elections, he has to quit his university job. Besides, since it is an education and human resources committee, it goes with our mentality. So, we can be a part of it.’
The convener of the committee is former VC of Rajshahi University professor Abdul Khalek and Shamsun Nahar (Chapa) is the member secretary is AL's education and human resource affairs.
Apart from 4 VCs, 6 teachers from Dhaka University, 4 teachers from Rajshahi University and 1 teacher from Jahangirnagar University have been named for this subcommittee. Besides, some former professors and current parliamentarians and leaders of ruling party are also named on the list.
