Prof Mannan new UGC chairman

Prof Abdul Mannan, former vice chancellor of Chittagong University, has been appointed as the chairman of University Grants Commission of Bangladesh.

The education ministry issued a circular yesterday in this regard. Earlier, President Abdul Hamid signed the order of his appointment for four years.

Prof Mannan, who currently teaches at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, will replace Prof AK Azad Chowdhury, whose tenure will end today.

Talking to The Daily Star last night, Mannan said, "I will sign the joining letter of UGC tomorrow. I expect to start my regular office from Sunday."

He will be the 12th chairman of the UGC, the statutory apex body for higher education.

Graduating from Dhaka University, Mannan joined the department of management of CU in 1973 as a lecturer.

Prof Mannan, also a columnist, was a part-time member of the UGC.