KU VC strips Pro-VC of power, sacks 4 for testifying to UGC

The UGC team, led by its member Prof Monirul Hoq, came here in the first week of current month to probe several allegations of corruption against VC Prof Dr M Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan. The other member of the team was Dr. Mahfuzul Hoq.

The probe began on June 9 and ended on June 12. The team will submit its report to the UGC and to the Education Ministry, sources said.

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The probe was ordered by the Education Ministry after the Katka tragedy in which 11 students were killed in the Sundarbans during a study tour. Nine of the victims were final year architecture students of Khulna University and two were from BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology) in Dhaka.

Sources claimed that Dr Sharafat Hossain, Dr Shamina Parveen, compounder Habibur Rahman and another person were removed from jobs at KU Medical Centre without showing any reason for testifying to the UGC probe team. Dr. Sharafat Hossain, when contacted, also admitted this.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Zabid Hossain has been stripped of his powers to appoint third and fourth class employees, maintain transport pool and security affairs of the university without showing any reason. The Pro-VC received an official latter from the VC in this regard on June 14.

The Vice-chancellor has also removed Dr Azizul Hakim from the post of Deputy Director, Public Relations for issuing a rejoinder in local newspapers.

The Pro-VC had issued the rejoinder in protest against the VC's "misuse of powers that has posed a threat to peace on the campus", Md Azizul Hakim said.

Hen contacted, Pro-VC Dr Jabid Hossain said, "Dr Azizul Hakim has been removed from the post and served with a showcause notice for issuing a rejoinder on striping me of powers by the VC".

Teachers, officials and employees are planning agitation to protest the VC's alleged corruption, misdeeds and misuse of power that are vitiating the academic atmosphere on the campus, said Dr Mohammad Saiful Jslam, head of Economics Department.

Where contacted yesterday, VC Prof Dr M Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan refuted all the allegations brought against him.

"My rivals in the university are making the allegations", he said. "I fired five persons from the medical centre as they are no longer required there", he said.

"None has been harassed for appearing before the probe team to depose against me. Transfer of officials from one department to another is a routine work.

" I am authorised to sack anyone if needed", the VC said.

"Of course, I am facing many problems".

He however admitted that the UGC team came here to probe the Katka tragedy and the prevailing "undesirable situation" on the campus.