The interim government has formed a five-member search committee to select a panel of Vice Chancellors (VCs) at public universities, moving away from politically influenced selection process.
For years, political connections trumped academic credentials in VC appointments, with qualified candidates often overlooked in favour of those with party affiliations. This approach has resulted in controversial university leadership and embarrassment for previous governments, most recently exemplified by the removal of KUET Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Mashud amid student protests.
"VCs are the head of a university. Due to their controversial decisions, the government often faces backlash. To ensure qualified and honest appointments, a search committee is being formed," an education ministry official told The Observer seeking anonymity.
The newly formed committee will be chaired by Education Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud and include two University Grants Commission members, a sitting university VC, and the Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Division. A similar initiative was attempted 16 years ago during the 2008 caretaker government but was abandoned when the Awami League government took power in 2009.
The education ministry has already forwarded details of the search committee to the President's office, with a gazette notification expected next week. Committee members reportedly include UGC member Prof Dr Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, Rajshahi University VC Prof Dr Saleh Hasan Nakib, and Senior Secretary Siddiq Zobair, though the fifth member remains unconfirmed.
Currently, no standardised framework exists for VC qualifications across Bangladesh's 55 public universities. The four autonomous universities governed under the 1973 Ordinance theoretically select VCs through university senates with presidential appointment, but this process has rarely been followed in practice.
Following the student-led uprising that toppled the Awami League government on 5 August, nearly all previously appointed VCs resigned. The interim government has since prioritised academic merit, particularly Western degrees and research experience, over political allegiance when making new appointments.
