Teachers turn down UGC proposals

Members of the Rajshahi University Teachers' Asociation burning a copy of a proposed policy of the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Saturday. PHOTO: STAR

They put up demonstrations, saying the proposals violate the 1973 University Act and curb authority of public universities.

Our Rajshahi University correspondent reported that the Rajshahi University Teachers' Association (RUTA) held a rally and brought out a procession on the campus on Saturday demanding scrapping of the proposed policy. They also burnt a copy of the policy in front of the Senate Bhaban.

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The RUTA said it was prepared by the UGC to pave way for government interference in RU affairs.

They also demanded withdrawal of the UGC restriction on recruitment of teachers and other staff.

The procession ended in front of Senate Bhaban with a rally, addressed by RUTA President Prof Sayen Uddin Ahmed and General Secretary Prof Abdul Latif.

"It is government interference on autonomy of the university when RU has its own policy and rules", Sayen Uddin told the rally.

He said UGC has no right to impose such a policy on any public university, as it violates their Acts.

RUTA also called a token teachers' strike on November 1 if their demands are not met.

Our Chittagong University correspondent reported that

the Chittagong University Teachers Association (CUTA) observes a two-hour token work abstention programme yesterday protesting the University Grants Commission's (UGC) proposals.

The CUTA says as per the University Act of 1973, Syndicate and Senate of a university are authorised to take decisions regarding appointment and promotion of teachers and other staff.

The UGC has formulated a uniform policy for appointment and promotion in all universities to avoid what it called "widespread irregularities". On August 17, the UGC through an official order stopped fresh recruitment and promotions in all public universities.

A IU correspondent reported that Islamic University Teachers Association (IUTA) also observed a two-hour token strike on Saturday demanding withdrawal of the UGC proposals.

IU Employees Association also took out a procession and held a rally on the campus.