Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan. Photo: Collected
Academic activities at Dhaka University will not start soon. Newly-appointed Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan said this on Wednesday in an interview with The Daily Messenger. The initiation of academic activities at the university is primarily hindered by the absence of Syndicate members and the current situation.
When asked about resuming academic activities, Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan told The Daily Messenger, “Starting the academic activities is the biggest challenge for me. I want to ensure that the necessary preparations are in place to initiate academic activities.”
Regarding his current activities since his appointment as vice-chancellor, he said, “You have already seen that I have been visiting various halls to communicate with students. I want to complete the hall phase by Friday. After the halls, I will conduct this activity in the departments according to the faculties of the university.”
The vice-chancellor stated that academic activities cannot be initiated due to issues related to the Syndicate, adding, “The university was closed following a decision made in a Syndicate meeting. Therefore, we cannot start the university's activities. If the university had been closed by an executive order, I could have used my executive power as vice-chancellor to reopen it.”
Many Syndicate members will not be available due to the resignation of the Awami League government, and some have resigned. Nevertheless, a Syndicate meeting must be convened. The vice-chancellor mentioned that a decision to reopen the university will be made through the available Syndicate members in the meeting.
In response to the question of when the Syndicate meeting might take place, the vice-chancellor said, “Before convening the Syndicate meeting, I want to complete the communication activities that I am currently conducting. I hope to determine the date for the Syndicate meeting within the next week.”
Given the current situation, there is little hope for the university's academic activities to start soon. It is noteworthy that following the movement for the reform of quotas in government jobs, DU authorities declared the university closed indefinitely on July 17. This decision was made in an emergency Syndicate meeting. The then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, presided over the emergency meeting of the Dhaka University Syndicate. After detailed discussions, the Syndicate reviewed the emerging situation and, under the powers of Article 24(1) of the Dhaka University Ordinance 1973, declared the university closed indefinitely to ensure student safety and maintain an academic environment.
Due to the prolonged closure of the university, examinations in various departments have been stalled. Additionally, the lack of class activities has heightened the possibility of session jams. In this situation, students are hoping to return to classes soon.
Messenger/Disha
