The authorities of the Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia have dismissed Assistant Professor Hafizul Islam of the Development Studies department from service of the university following of a student protests.
An office order in this regard was issued on Sunday signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr Manjurul Haque.
According to the order, the decision was made under section 4(1)(F) of the ‘Islamic University Employees' Efficiency and Discipline Rules’ at the 268th syndicate meeting held on May 31.
The office order states that Assistant Professor Hafizul Islam has been dismissed from service, effective from May 31, 2025, in the interest of maintaining peace and discipline at the University.
Earlier, on December 22, 2024 the 266th Syndicate Meeting decided to cancel one (01) annual increment and place Assistant Professor Hafizul Islam on one year of compulsory leave, based on the report of the investigation committee formed in response to students’ complaints.
Later, in response, student demands from all academic years of the Development Studies department, a new and comprehensive investigation was initiated as per the 267th Syndicate Meeting held on February 26, 2025.
Following this, the 268th Syndicate Meeting concluded that Hafizul's actions were in serious violation of university disciplinary rules. This conclusion was based on the recommendations of the newly formed investigation committee as well as findings from earlier inquiries.
Students from various sessions of the department had organised multiple protests, including human chains, locking the department, university, VC Banglo entrance, and burning effigies, demanding his permanent removal.
They alleged that Hafizul Islam made inappropriate and offensive remarks toward female students, used abusive language, issued threats to reduce grades or fail students, made demeaning comments about students' attire, and mentally harassed students. Some students also accused him of promoting controversial views in the classroom.
JR/NSA
