Prof. Dr Md Selim Reza, Acting Dean of Dhaka University's (DU) Faculty of Pharmacy, has strongly refuted allegations of hijabophobia, corruption, nepotism and political interference in recent faculty recruitment processes, dismissing claims as propaganda and urging journalists to conduct thorough research before publishing reports.
He made this claim when questioned by the Daily Observer on Sunday regarding the controversy surrounding multiple recruitment drives conducted since 5 August, with critics alleging that qualified candidates have been systematically overlooked in favour of individuals with political or personal connections to influential faculty members.
The most contentious case involves an assistant professor position in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, where recruitment proceedings held on 22 May remain unpublished six months later. Some news outlets reported that a PhD-qualified candidate wearing a niqab faced potential exclusion, despite the advertised criteria explicitly prioritising doctoral degree holders.
According to media reports, an anonymous faculty member said, "The advertisement clearly stated that PhD holders would be given priority. Yet she is being denied that opportunity."
Additional controversy surrounds appointments made on 27 August in the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology. Critics allege that four candidates selected for lecturer positions ranked below 16th place among 20 applicants, violating university regulations requiring merit-based rankings. One appointee reportedly holds an M.Pharm degree with a 3.67 GPA and lacks laboratory research experience, whilst candidates with teaching experience at other public universities were passed over.
When confronted with these allegations, Acting Dean Prof. Dr Md Selim Reza mounted a vigorous defence of the faculty's recruitment procedures.
"There should be no doubt about our competence or calibre," he said. "Has the outcome of what happened in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry been published? No. It remains pending, right? Then where is all this talk coming from?"
The Dean, who assumed his position following the July mass uprising rather than through political channels, emphasised his established reputation across the country's pharmaceutical sector.
He noted that senior officials, including Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, participated in recruitment boards, suggesting internal actors were deliberately spreading confusion.
Regarding allegations of discrimination based on religious dress, Prof. Dr Reza was categorical: "This factor is irrelevant to me. If you look in girls' common rooms, about 50 per cent wear hijab, whilst others do not. This is entirely a matter of personal clothing and freedom."
The dean explained that recruitment decisions are recorded in sealed envelopes and sent directly to the university syndicate to prevent information leaks. "Just as judges cannot comment on ongoing investigations, our situation is similar," he said, defending the non-publication of certain results.
He criticised what he termed inadequate journalistic research, stating that reporters should understand technical academic metrics before covering recruitment controversies. "Journalists must first understand what a 'scientific journal', 'impact factor', 'i10 index', and 'h-index' are. Discussing without this understanding is meaningless."
Drawing a historical parallel, Prof. Dr Reza warned of propaganda campaigns comparable to those of Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. "We have a similar propaganda network operating everywhere here. Social media amplifies such campaigns quickly, and nearly 90 per cent of people in Bangladesh believe the information at first sight."
He maintained that all candidates are highly qualified and that excluding anyone based solely on hijab would be unacceptable.
Another recruitment process for the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry is scheduled for 16 November. "Alhamdulillah, we hope the outcome will be favourable," Prof. Dr Reza said.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between transparency demands and confidentiality requirements in academic appointments at one of the country's premier educational institutions.
NRE/NSA
