Dhaka University (DU) has taken decisive action by temporarily suspending three teachers and an officer, while four other faculty members have been relieved of all academic and administrative duties. This decision was announced in a press release following a meeting of the DU Syndicate chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam.
Suspensions and Allegations
Professor Dr. Sadeka Halim of the Department of Sociology was suspended over charges including unprofessional conduct and moral turpitude. Additionally, Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam and Professor Dr. Afroza Shelly of the Department of Nuclear Engineering were suspended based on student complaints and a fact-finding committee report.
Relief from Duties
The Syndicate relieved Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Muhit of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology from his responsibilities as department chairman and barred him from all academic and administrative duties due to alleged activities contrary to the spirit of the July Mass Uprising, anti-administration and anti-government propaganda, and issuing threats. Similarly, Professor Dr. Abu Shara Shamsur Rouf of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam (Rafiq Shahriar) of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies were relieved of their duties.
Professor Dr. Mohammad Bahauddin of the Department of Persian Language and Literature was also relieved of all academic and administrative responsibilities over departmental irregularities and allegations of similarity-based plagiarism in M.Phil and Ph.D. theses.
In procedural actions, the Syndicate formed committees to review recruitment irregularities and verify research activities funded by the World Bank and the University Grants Commission (UGC). The Syndicate also plans to take action against individuals and groups opposing the July spirit, with specific measures to be announced after verification.
Additionally, A.K.M. Mahbub Mustafa, Superintending Engineer (Civil) of the Chief Engineer's Office, was temporarily suspended for violating office discipline. To honor the martyrs of the July Uprising, the meeting finalized plans to construct a 'July Memorial' at the Mall Chattar adjacent to the Administrative Building, with its foundation stone scheduled for unveiling on August 5.
