Bangladesh’s universities, often regarded as the country’s highest centers of learning, have seen a significant increase in numbers over the past few decades. The establishment of these institutions has been especially prominent during the last decade and a half under the Awami League government. Currently, there are 163 universities in Bangladesh, with 53 being public and 110 private.

Allegations have surfaced that loyalty to the ruling party has often outweighed academic qualifications in the appointment of high-ranking officials such as vice-chancellors and registrars. In some cases, there have even been claims of securing positions by appeasing government policymakers. Within the universities, allegations of corruption against the vice-chancellors related to appointments, infrastructure projects, and academic and research activities are widespread. Academics argue that, over the last decade and a half, the quality of higher education has declined, with rampant corruption and internal conflicts further tarnishing the academic environment. Key contributors to this decline include policymakers in the education sector, university vice-chancellors, and politically influential faculty members.

One of the individuals often held accountable for the current state of higher education is Nurul Islam Nahid. He served as the Education Minister in the Awami League government during the 9th and 10th National Parliaments, from 2009 to 2018. Allegations of widespread irregularities, including partisanship and nepotism in university appointments, surged during his tenure. In some cases, the minister himself was directly accused of involvement. One such instance was the appointment of Badrul Islam Shoaib as Registrar of Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU).

Known as a close associate of Nurul Islam Nahid, Shoaib was initially appointed as the university’s Deputy Registrar on a temporary basis in late 2010. Within just 2 years and 11 months, he was promoted to Registrar. However, the university’s regulations at the time required a minimum of five years of experience for the position. To accommodate Shoaib’s appointment, the rules were amended, reducing the experience requirement to four years and relaxing conditions for internal candidates.

During Nurul Islam Nahid’s tenure as Education Minister, frequent question leaks of public exams, university admission tests, and job exams became a recurring issue. In 2014 and 2018, the leak of admission test questions at Dhaka University sparked nationwide concern. In 2014, at least 40 people were arrested for their involvement in the scandal. And in 2018, the university’s ‘D’ unit admission test was canceled and retaken due to a leak.

There are further allegations that bribery and illegal financial transactions occurred under Nahid’s leadership, particularly concerning appointments, transfers, and the approval of various educational institutions. In 2018, his personal officer (PO), Md. Motaleb Hossain, and Nasir Uddin, a high-ranking assistant at the Ministry of Education, were arrested on charges of bribery and illegal financial transactions. Additionally, in 2017, at a meeting in the conference room of the Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA), he remarked, “Take bribes, but do so in moderation,” which drew widespread criticism across the country.

Dr. Dipu Moni, Nahid’s successor as Education Minister in the 12th National Parliament, has also faced numerous allegations of corruption and irregularities. After the Awami League formed its third consecutive government in 2018, Dipu Moni, the Member of Parliament for Chandpur-3, was appointed Education Minister. During her tenure, allegations of partisanship, nepotism, and other irregularities in appointments persisted. In addition, accusations surfaced that bribes were taken for the appointment of vice-chancellors. There are claims that her brother, JR Wadud Tipu, was involved in collecting BDT 5 million for the position of principal and BDT 20 million for the position of vice-chancellor. Furthermore, in 2020, she was accused of orchestrating the purchase of land at inflated prices through close relatives, which was later acquired by Chandpur Science and Technology University (CSTU), resulting in an additional BDT 3.59 billion profit. Dipu Moni dismissed these claims as a political conspiracy at the time.

In the 12th National Parliament, Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel was appointed as the Education Minister. He previously served as Deputy Minister of Education in the 11th National Parliament. Allegations have been made that, during his tenure as Deputy Minister, he took control of a private university under Chattogram City Corporation’s jurisdiction. Additionally, he has been accused of instigating frequent clashes between two factions of the Chhatra League at Chattogram University (CU). However, the former minister has consistently denied these allegations from the outset.

In the past 15 years, various allegations have surfaced against vice-chancellors at multiple universities, including Dhaka University (DU). AAMS Arefin Siddique was appointed as the 27th Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, serving from 2009 to 2017. During his tenure, accusations arose regarding significant irregularities and political favoritism in the recruitment of teachers. Over 100 teachers were allegedly appointed without meeting the required qualifications. In several departments, appointments were made without issuing job circulars, and more teachers were hired than the available positions permitted. Previously, merit-based selection was prioritized for teacher recruitment at Dhaka University (DU). But during Siddique’s tenure, students affiliated with the Chhatra League were allegedly favored over candidates on merit lists. For example, in 2014, a candidate who ranked first in the Islamic Studies department was not appointed. Instead, a candidate ranked 19th, who was a central vice-president of the Chhatra League, was appointed. A similar incident occurred in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, where a candidate who ranked first was overlooked in favor of another candidate who ranked 10th and 12th in their undergraduate and graduate studies. These irregularities were repeated in several other departments. Attempts to reach Arefin Siddique for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone number was found to be disconnected.

Shariff Enamul Kabir served as Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University from 2009 to May 2012. His tenure was marred by allegations of irregularities in teacher recruitment, favoritism toward a regional faction of the Chhatra League, and obstruction of cultural activities on campus. In 2012, a widespread protest erupted against him following the death of Zubair Ahmed, an English department student, and Chhatra League member, in a factional clash allegedly instigated by leaders close to Kabir. The protests eventually forced him to resign.

After stepping down as Vice-Chancellor, the government appointed Shariff Enamul Kabir to the Regent Boards and Syndicates of various universities as an academician and expert member on recruitment boards. Among the universities where he served in these capacities were Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU), Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), and Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU). Allegations have been made that he recommended candidates from a specific university for teacher recruitment at these institutions. For example, during his tenure as a Regent Board member at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU), around 40 percent of those recruited were from the same university.

When contacted for comment, Shariff Enamul Kabir denied the allegations, telling Bonik Barta, “I was not involved in any such activities. Those making these claims are mistaken.”

It’s not only vice-chancellors who have contributed to the decline in the country’s higher education standards. Influential faculty members have also played a role. One such figure is Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan, a prominent leader of the Dhaka University Teachers’ Association. Despite his leadership role, there have been questions about his qualifications to be a teacher. Allegations suggest that he initially joined Dhaka University as an officer due to his lack of qualifications for a teaching position and later secured a teaching job on an ad-hoc basis through his connections. His position was eventually regularized in the same manner. An analysis of Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan’s academic record shows that he never graduated with a first-class degree at any level of education, from school to university. In both his undergraduate and postgraduate studies, he ranked near the bottom of his class. Finding a research paper authored by him as the first author is reportedly difficult. Even his Ph.D. has been a subject of controversy. According to information from the university, he graduated from the then Department of Soil Science (now Department of Soil, Water, and Environment) at Dhaka University in 1982 and completed his master’s degree in 1983, both with second-class results. He later completed a diploma course and an MPhil from the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (INFS) and joined the institute as a research associate. In late 1996, he was appointed as a lecturer in INFS on an ad-hoc basis, even though the university’s recruitment policy at the time required at least one first-class degree to be eligible for a lecturer position. After becoming the president of the Dhaka University Teachers’ Association, he regularly issued statements in support of the government on behalf of the association. Attempts to reach Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not answer his phone.

Among those appointed by the government as Regent Board and Syndicate members at public universities was Sheikh Kabir Hossain, a cousin of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He has served as a Regent Board member at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) and Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), and as a Syndicate member at Khulna Agricultural University (KAU). Allegations have been made that irregularities occurred in the recruitment of over 50 teachers at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) and more than 400 teachers at Khulna Agricultural University (KAU) during his tenure.

He has been directly implicated in many of these recruitments. In addition, he served as the chairman of the Board of Trustees at Fareast International University (FIU) and as the chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Private Universities. It is alleged that he played a significant role in politicizing private universities.

A former member of the trustee board at a private university in Dhaka, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Sheikh Kabir played a crucial role in breaking up our university’s trustee board. This was not an isolated case; it happened at several other universities as well. The main objective was to politicize private universities.”

Farzana Islam, the former Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, faced allegations of corruption and financial irregularities related to the university’s ongoing development project. A leaked phone conversation between her and the then-president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) revealed that the student leaders had demanded a large sum of money from her. Following this incident, the two BCL leaders were removed from their positions. However, Farzana Islam remained in her post until the completion of her term.

On Monday, October 7, 2019, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Abrar Fahad died after being tortured by BCL activists in a residential hall. On that day, Abrar was summoned from his room and tortured throughout the night. During this time, BUET’s Vice Chancellor was Dr. Saiful Islam, who assumed the role in 2016. There are allegations that, despite being informed about the torture, the Vice Chancellor took no action to rescue Abrar. Additionally, he is accused of attempting to cover up the incident. There were also reports that, during his tenure, BCL subjected students to widespread abuse under various pretexts. Allegedly, the Vice Chancellor did nothing to prevent these abuses despite being aware of them.

Professor M Abdus Sobhan served two terms as the Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi University (RU). During his tenure, he established a new department at the university to secure a faculty position for his daughter, Sanjana Sobhan. In a syndicate meeting on November 21, 2015, the university decided that faculty recruits must rank among the top seven in their department’s academic merit list. However, Sobhan’s daughter was not on this list. He later amended the university’s policy to appoint her as a lecturer.

Additionally, Vice Chancellor Abdus Sobhan took advantage of the revised policies to facilitate the appointment of his son-in-law, ATM Shahed Pervez, as a lecturer in the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at the university. On his last day in office, Sobhan appointed 138 individuals as officers and employees. Later, the High Court annulled these appointments.

Shireen Akhtar, the 18th Vice Chancellor of the Chattogram University (CU), took office in November 2019. During her tenure, she hired 172 individuals—115 in the third class and 57 in the fourth class—on a daily wage basis without issuing any public notices. Furthermore, through syndicate approvals, she recruited 368 individuals, including 130 faculty members. Allegations suggest that these hires favored her preferred candidates. On her final day in office, she reportedly made 37 additional appointments in violation of university regulations, most of whom were BCL members.

In 2019, Professor Dr. Khondoker Nasiruddin, Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) in Gopalganj, resigned following student protests. During his tenure, allegations emerged of partisan recruitment, nepotism, and the hiring of underqualified individuals. He appointed Khondoker Mahmud Parvez, his nephew, as a teacher in the International Relations department, despite the university’s requirement for a first-class degree in both undergraduate and master’s studies. Parvez had second-class degrees in both, but the condition was waived for his appointment. Similarly, Akkas Ali was appointed in the Computer Science and Engineering department under relaxed conditions. During Nasiruddin’s tenure, more than fifty students were unjustly expelled. In September 2019, students began protesting, demanding his resignation over corruption and repression. The protests were met with violence. Subsequently, the University Grants Commission (UGC) formed an investigation committee that confirmed the allegations. On September 30, 2019, Nasiruddin resigned in the face of student protests.

Former Vice Chancellor of Khulna Agricultural University (KAU), Md. Shahidur Rahman Khan, came under scrutiny for appointing more teachers and staff than students. He recruited 447 individuals despite the university having only 350 students. Out of the 447 recruitments, 426 were his relatives and well wishers—including his son, daughter, brother-in-law, and nephews. The issue came to light when he attempted to appoint his wife, prompting an investigation. Subsequently, the Ministry of Education ordered the cancellation of appointments for nine of his relatives, including his son and daughter, along with 73 teachers. Despite directives from the UGC to halt recruitment, the Vice Chancellor appointed additional 40 staff members. Finally, burdened by allegations of corruption and irregularities, he left the university campus on Saturday night, September 10, 2022.

Dr. Samina Luthfa, a professor in the Sociology Department at Dhaka University, said, “The teacher recruitment process must be restructured. Most of our recruitment exams are oral; this should be diversified into two or three different methods. Those who prioritize student interests and the integrity of educational institutions over partisan interests should be appointed. Their political identity should not be a primary consideration. Recruitment should be based on credibility, research output, and global outlook. To elevate a university to international standards, it must have a global vision, an area where we are significantly lagging. The Vice Chancellor’s role is to ensure the university's recognition on the global stage and secure funding for major research initiatives. Additionally, introducing the university’s research to the world is the responsibility of both the Vice Chancellor and the Pro-Vice Chancellor. However, in Bangladesh, what they actually need is a team of loyal subordinates, a group of enforcers. In their pursuit of these, they fail to accomplish their core responsibilities. Therefore, we need people with a backbone, those who don’t require a whip to act. Such people are rare, but not impossible to find.”

Professor Farid Uddin served two terms as Vice Chancellor at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). There are allegations that he showed regional favoritism in key administrative appointments at the university. He also faces accusations of financial irregularities. Additionally, he has been accused of obstructing students’ cultural activities and making indecent and objectionable remarks about female students. In 2022, students launched a movement demanding his resignation due to these allegations. During that movement, police, under university administration orders, charged at students with batons and fired rubber bullets. This incident sparked protests by students at various universities across the country.

Dr. Mijanur Rahman joined Jagannath University (JnU) as Vice Chancellor in 2013. He gained attention by expressing his desire to become the president of the Jubo League. Additionally, he was accused of prioritizing Chhatra League members in university recruitment. In October 2019, during a talk show on a private TV channel, he stated that he would be willing to resign as Vice Chancellor if given the responsibility of leading the Jubo League. He also made several controversial comments about students.

Khulna University (KU) once earned a stellar reputation as the country’s first politics-free university. Its faculty and students’ various achievements gained recognition even beyond the national borders. Graduates from this university also performed well in the job market. However, this reputation has significantly diminished. Teachers and former students blame Dr. Mohammad Fayekuzzaman, the university’s former Vice Chancellor, for this decline. Under his leadership, the university faced numerous allegations of irregularities and corruption in infrastructure construction and recruitment, as well as unnecessary establishment of new disciplines (departments). Additionally, he has been accused of making harassing and inappropriate comments towards a former female student during a recruitment interview.

According to information published through various channels, during Dr. Mohammad Fayekuzzaman’s tenure as Vice Chancellor, eight new disciplines and one institute were established at the university, 100 teaching positions were created and filled, 65 officers were upgraded, 12 officers were appointed to new positions, and 83 employees were recruited. There are allegations of widespread irregularities in recruitment and appointment processes during his tenure. He is accused of appointing loyalists instead of the most qualified individuals as deans and departmental heads in various schools and disciplines. He is also accused of appointing his relatives to various university positions. Even though some disciplines faced a shortage of teachers, fewer were recruited than advertised, while more than necessary were recruited in others. Based on these allegations, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) requested an investigation from the University Grants Commission (UGC). However, Dr. Mohammad Fayekuzzaman’s administration claimed that all appointments were made transparently.

In late 2019, allegations of corruption in the construction of several new buildings, including academic and residential halls, libraries, and guesthouses, led to a movement against Vice Chancellor Dr. Mohammad Fayekuzzaman. In December of that year, 45 teachers submitted a memorandum to the registrar, accusing the Vice Chancellor of corruption. The memorandum highlighted widespread irregularities in the construction of new halls and other infrastructure and included as evidence the report of an investigation committee formed by the university administration, published on December 29, 2016. The memorandum stated that, through irregularities, a contract for constructing a hall was awarded to the firm of controversial contractor and Jubo League leader GK Shamim. After various quarters raised questions about this, the tender was canceled on September 19, 2017, and a new tender was issued. Yet, mysteriously, the contract was again awarded to GK Shamim’s firm. Teachers also alleged that faulty construction in various buildings and the use of substandard electrical cables posed a risk of accidents.

University affiliates accuse Dr. Mohammad Fayekuzzaman of rushing to include loyalists in the syndicate at the end of his term to legitimize various irregularities and suppress dissent. With their assistance, the syndicate, in its 212th meeting, made the illegal decision to expel and remove several teachers and students. This matter later reached the court and led to a hunger strike by some university students.

During his tenure as Vice Chancellor of Khulna University, several books were published under Dr. Mohammad Fayekuzzaman’s name. One notable title is ‘Apni-e to Bangladesh’, a book about the recently ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

When contacted for comments on these matters, Dr. Mohammad Fayekuzzaman did not answer his phone.

At Gopalganj's Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU), in 2022, Aohona Arefin, daughter of Barishal University’s then-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Sadequl Arefin, was hired in the Civil Engineering department despite not meeting the job advertisement requirements and overlooking more qualified candidates. Shortly thereafter, Farzana Mahbub, daughter of BSMRSTU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. AQM Mahbub, was hired in the Environmental Science and Disaster Management department at Barishal University (BU). However, both Vice-Chancellors claimed that the hirings were conducted according to the rules.

Since taking office as Vice-Chancellor of Cumilla University on January 21, 2022, Professor AFM Abdul Moyeen has been embroiled in a series of controversies. Accusations have surfaced that he made numerous irregular appointments during his two-and-a-half-year tenure. He has also made headlines by justifying corruption and has been involved in physical altercations with faculty members. Despite university regulations prohibiting political affiliations while in office, he became a member of the Awami League’s sub-committee. Allegations against him include enrolling a confessed murderer from a university student murder case in an evening course and hiring another accused as an officer. Additionally, there have been complaints of irregularities in various projects during his tenure.

Professor Sayeed Ferdous from Jahangirnagar University’s Anthropology department told Bonik Barta, “The 1973 ordinance drafted for the four universities included democratic principles. However, there is no democratic practice in universities today. Vice-Chancellors are appointed based on political affiliation, and they focus on serving the party’s interests and hiring party loyalists. The effectiveness of the Teachers’ Association, an essential body for questioning the administration, has been undermined. Teachers from the association are now taking on administrative roles, meaning they’ve become part of the administration and can no longer question it. This erosion of accountability is creating crises. To overcome this, we must ensure accountability and move away from patronage politics. Whether it’s teacher or student politics, it should be for the benefit of the university.”

In the last decade and a half, many government officials have earned Ph.D. or similar advanced degrees from various universities. Such academic research-based degrees require significant time, and even those engaged in full-time academic activities like teaching need educational leave to pursue a Ph.D. or MPhil degree. However, it is alleged that influential figures in the last government fraudulently obtained Ph.D. degrees while holding key state positions. Powerful university professors aided them in this. Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who is accused of widespread corruption and oppression, obtained a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from the Faculty of Business Studies at Dhaka University. He earned this doctorate from Dhaka University in 2019. While serving as the Director General of RAB, special consideration was given to admit him to the DBA program under the Banking and Insurance department in the 2014-15 academic year by relaxing the rules. Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, who recently resigned as Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, recommended his admission.

Allegations claim that Benazir Ahmed did not meet the qualifications to enroll in the doctoral program. He was admitted by relaxing the requirements. A bachelor’s degree is mandatory for DBA program admission, but Benazir Ahmed only held a BA (Pass) degree. Additionally, a minimum of 50 percent marks in all public exams during academic life is required, which he did not have.

In the recommendation letter for relaxing the rules in Benazir Ahmed’s case, Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam wrote, “Benazir Ahmed is a former Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Director General of RAB. Admitting such an established figure in society to the DBA program under special consideration would benefit the country.”

Benazir Ahmed is now a fugitive from the country, facing numerous allegations of corruption and irregularities. Additionally, he is under U.S. sanctions for human rights violations.