CU students’ human chain demands transparency in post-uprising recruitments

Students of Chittagong University (CU) today formed a human chain demanding disclosure of the recruitment processes, identities and qualifications of all individuals appointed at the university following the July uprising.

They warned that demonstrations would continue if the authorities fail to make the information public.

The human chain was formed around 12:30 pm outside the university’s administrative building. Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Majlish, several leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and general students participated in the programme.

Ashiqur Rahman, a student of the Islamic Studies Department, said around 400 people have been appointed under the current administration since the July uprising.

“We are not opposing recruitment, but the process must be transparent. All information must be disclosed to the students,” he said.

“The student community that led the July movement will not accept any irregularities. If the full details of recruitments made over the past one and a half years are not published, students will not remain calm,” he added.

Tamim Chowdhury, general secretary of AF Rahman Hall unit and Chhatra Dal’s skills development affairs secretary, said allegations of nepotism have surfaced regarding the recruitment boards.

“After the July uprising, we wanted a student-friendly campus. The university administration must come out of such practices,” he said.

Chhatra Majlish President Sakib Mahmud Rumi said the administration has been claiming from the outset that recruitments are being conducted transparently and honestly.

“I think this is the biggest opportunity for them to prove their honesty. Details of all recruitment exams held so far must be disclosed to the students,” he said.

“Based on the administration’s statements, we want to believe that they are not involved in any corruption,” he added.

According to university sources, the 565th CU syndicate meeting held on January 9 approved the appointment of 153 teachers, officers and employees.

It has also been learned that more than 250 people have been appointed during the current administration’s one-and-a-half-year tenure. Controversy has emerged over some of these recruitments, including the appointment of the daughter of Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Shamim Uddin Khan.