Fresh crisis grips Shahjalal varsity

The Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) is in a serious crisis again as first year Honous classes, scheduled to begin from today, has become uncertain.

The Academic Council held 12 hours' meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday but could not decide when classes will begin.

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Most of the teachers declined to take classes till appointment of new teachers as the university has an acute shortage of teachers.

At the Academic Council meeting, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said new teachers could not be appointed because of a government embargo. New appointments would be made after withdrawal of the embargo, he told the meeting but this could not satisfy the teachers.

On the other hand, student bodies like Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir handed over memorandums to the acting VC on Monday and threatened of agitation unless their demands are met.

Their demands include construction of new dormitory and cafeteria for students and publication of results of semester examinations of final year students.

The Teachers Association has also demanded appointment of new teachers. It has other demands.

Academic activities at SUST are being seriously hampered for long due to acute shortage of teachers.

The teachers association (SUSTTA) repeatedly demanded immediate steps for appointment of teachers.

Sources said out of 363 teachers, 149 are on leave for long. Of them, 43 are on unauthorised leave.

The acting VC informed the Academic Council meeting that approval was received from the University Grants Commission for appointment of seven professors, 13 associate professors and assistant professors and 27 lecturers. Approval has been sought for appointment of teachers against rest of the vacant posts. But, nothing can be done till the government embargo is withdrawn, he said.

The university has only seven professors against a provision for 17. Among the seven, two are on lien. There are 13 associate professors against a provision for 30. Among the 13, three are on leave.

Due to shortage of associate professors and professors, assistant professors are now in charge of a number of departments, the source added.