Public university education suffers

16 posts of pro-VC, 8 posts of treasurer vacant

The absence of pro-vice chancellors and treasurers in public universities creates a lot of problems in carrying out academic and administrative activities. It also raises questions about transparency and accountability in those varsities.  The President, who is the chancellor of all public universities, appoints people to these key posts.
University Grants Commission (UGC) sources said as many as 16 posts of pro-VC and 8 posts of treasurer in public universities have been lying vacant for a long time, hampering academic and administrative activities. Some officials of universities said the quality of education takes a hit if these posts lie vacant for a long time. They also said sometimes it is very difficult to find qualified people for these posts. The bureaucratic tangle is also responsible for the delay in appointments, the officials added.
Sources said every post has its own set of functions. When one person takes additional responsibilities, it puts pressure on him/her, thus raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Since March 19, the posts of VC, pro-VC and treasurer had been lying vacant in the Rajshahi University. Though the government Sunday appointed Prof. Abdus Sobhan as VC and Ananda Kumar Saha as pro-VC, the post of treasurer is still vacant.
UGC sources said there are 38 public universities in the country at present. Of them, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Khulna University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibjur Rahman Agriculture University, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture University, Mawlana Bhashani University of Science and Technology, Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Jagannath University, Comilla University, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Sylhet Agriculture University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Maritime University and Islami Arabic University do not have a pro-VC.
The universities that do not have treasurers are Chittagong University, HSTU, Patuakhali University of Science and Technology, DUET, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Sylhet Agriculture University, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur and Islami Arabic University.
The post of VC in Begum Rokeya University fell vacant on May 6 as its former VC, Prof. AKM Nur-un-Nabi, completed his four-year tenure. This university also did not have any treasurer appointed by the President. Prof. Nabi occupied the post.
Recently, the UGC asked the government to take action against Prof. Nabi for allegedly manipulating funds and other irregularities. But he completed his tenure before any action could be taken.  
HSTU VC Prof. Dr M Abul Kashem told The Independent yesterday that he has been facing pressure in carrying out financial activities of the university as the post of the treasurer is lying vacant for a long time. “I have recently come here as the VC. But the university doesn’t have a treasurer. It’s difficult when two tasks are carried out by one person,” he added.
Prof. Dr Goutam Buddha Das, VC of the Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, said the post of treasurer is not vital as the director of finance looks after all financial matters. “In my university, the treasurer has been appointed for the second term. But he is ill for a long time. I don’t think the person for this post should be appointed by the President because all financial matters are looked after by the finance officer,” he added.
He said that the VC of a university faces tremendous pressure from various quarters while discharging duties. “We’re under great pressure. I think there should not be any appointment in the hands of the VC. It should be either through the Public Service Commission or the UGC,” he added.
He, however, said quick appointment of VCs, pro-VCs and treasurers is essential for smooth functioning of universities.

 

Public university education suffers

16 posts of pro-VC, 8 posts of treasurer vacant

The absence of pro-vice chancellors and treasurers in public universities creates a lot of problems in carrying out academic and administrative activities. It also raises questions about transparency and accountability in those varsities. The President, who is the chancellor of all public universities, appoints people to these key posts. University Grants Commission (UGC) sources said as many as 16 posts of pro-VC and 8 posts of treasurer in public universities have been lying vacant for a long time, hampering academic and administrative activities. Some officials of universities said the quality of education takes a hit if these posts lie vacant for a long time. They also said sometimes it is very difficult to find qualified people for these posts. The bureaucratic tangle is also responsible for the delay in appointments, the officials added. Sources said every post has its own set of functions. When one person takes additional responsibilities, it puts pressure on him/her, thus raising questions about transparency and accountability. Since March 19, the posts of VC, pro-VC and treasurer had been lying vacant in the Rajshahi University. Though the government Sunday appointed Prof. Abdus Sobhan as VC and Ananda Kumar Saha as pro-VC, the post of treasurer is still vacant. UGC sources said there are 38 public universities in the country at present. Of them, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Khulna University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibjur Rahman Agriculture University, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture University, Mawlana Bhashani University of Science and Technology, Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Jagannath University, Comilla University, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Sylhet Agriculture University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University and Islami Arabic University do not have a pro-VC. The universities that do not have treasurers are Chittagong University, HSTU, Patuakhali University of Science and Technology, DUET, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Sylhet Agriculture University, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur and Islami Arabic University. The post of VC in Begum Rokeya University fell vacant on May 6 as its former VC, Prof. AKM Nur-un-Nabi, completed his four-year tenure. This university also did not have any treasurer appointed by the President. Prof. Nabi occupied the post. Recently, the UGC asked the government to take action against Prof. Nabi for allegedly manipulating funds and other irregularities. But he completed his tenure before any action could be taken. HSTU VC Prof. Dr M Abul Kashem told The Independent yesterday that he has been facing pressure in carrying out financial activities of the university as the post of the treasurer is lying vacant for a long time. I have recently come here as the VC. But the university doesnt have a treasurer. Its difficult when two tasks are carried out by one person, he added. Prof. Dr Goutam Buddha Das, VC of the Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, said the post of treasurer is not vital as the director of finance looks after all financial matters. In my university, the treasurer has been appointed for the second term. But he is ill for a long time. I dont think the person for this post should be appointed by the President because all financial matters are looked after by the finance officer, he added. He said that the VC of a university faces tremendous pressure from various quarters while discharging duties. Were under great pressure. I think there should not be any appointment in the hands of the VC. It should be either through the Public Service Commission or the UGC, he added. He, however, said quick appointment of VCs, pro-VCs and treasurers is essential for smooth functioning of universities.