Editorial
Three varsities with unelected VCs
Anomalous situation should be redressed
The laid down procedure for appointment of Vice Chancellor (VC) to public universities is for the senate to elect a panel of candidates from which the chancellor of universities would appoint an incumbent. The universities of Chittagong, Dhaka and Rajshahi do not have VCs elected in such a way.
Of fundamental importance is that elections to the senates themselves have been long overdue. Consequently, government appointed unelected VCs have continued to hold their positions.
It is worthwhile to note that the present incumbents are averse to holding elections either for VC panels or the senate bodies for fear of losing their positions. Seeds of trouble are sown and a rift develops and continues among the teaching and student communities.
The Chittagong and Rajshahi universities were in particular victims of such maladministration and resulting chaos. The last VC election for Chittgong University was held in 1998. And in both the universities, elections for the senate bodies were not held for the last 20 and 12 years. In the Dhaka University, on the other hand, the last elected VC held office between 2002 and 2009.
After a long period of unrest and protests by teachers as well as students during the tenure of the previous VC at the JU, some semblance of democratic ambience has finally returned there after an election to the senate body and appointment of the new VC.But the situation has not changed in the case of the Chittagong, Rajshahi and Dhaka universities. They are still vulnerable to uncertainties and remain a potent source of trouble. In the absence of regular elections for senate and continuation of unelected VCs such universities are wanting in prospects for fresh leadership.
The only way to rid them of the possibility of continued mismanagement and anarchy is to hold elections to their senates and thereby have elected panels for the appointment of VCs.
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