Editorial
We felicitate the new JU VC
His job is cut out
The resignation of the former Vice Chancellor Professor Shariff Enamul Kabir and his replacement by Professor Anwar Hossain as the new incumbent are welcome developments.
Given his bright track record as a successful teacher at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular biology of the Dhaka University (DU) and his administrative credentials as a leader of the DU teachers' association, his has been a prudent choice. It is a step in the right direction.
We hope he will remain above politics and steer the university out of the crisis it has been reeling from.
The new VC faces an enormous challenge from the mess left by the former administration such as moths-long students' and teachers' unrests weakening the very fabric of the institution.
It would be worthwhile to note that despite the specific nature of some of its concerns, JU is not the only public university beset with problems. Dhaka University (DU), Rajshahi University (RU) and Chittagong University (CU) are also not strangers to some or the other forms of unrests and campus violence.
In all the cases, the problems can be traced to the lack of democratic practice of electing a panel of candidates by the senate from which the chancellor appoints the VC under the University Act, 1973. The practice has severely curtailed the autonomy of the universities. It is hardly surprising that the DU and all other public universities have lost their past traditions and glories. This fundamental issue has to be addressed.
We believe Professor Anwar will prove equal to the job and succeed in restoring the past glory and reputation of the university as one of the premier seats of learning in the country.
His initial remarks upon appointment instil a hope that he will be able to heal the wounds and bring to bear a new sense of purpose and mission on his job.
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