Professor Dr Shireen Akhter, the first female vice-chancellor (VC) of the University of Chittagong has left her office with some allegations of corruption and scandal after completing her tenure.

The outgoing vice-chancellor will be memorable to the history of the university as she recruited a record 500 teachers, officials and employees amid much controversy and allegations. On the last working day, Shireen Akhter recruited 37 persons. Her daughter and nephew handled the whole recruitment process.

This correspondent called former vice-chancellor Shireen Akhter several times about the allegations but she didn’t respond. Besides, a communication attempt was made to acting registrar KM Nur Ahmed and he also didn’t respond to the call. 

University sources said the four-year tenure of Shireen Akhter was ended on 3 November 2023. She recruited a lot of staff in various posts including peon, security guard, computer lab assistant, canteen assistant, bookbinder and sweeper for the next six months. In this recruitment, she violated the rules of the university recruitment system.

As per the rules, for any kind of recruitment, circular, scrutiny, viva and practical exam, and final approval of the university syndicate after vetting is needed. But the outgoing vice-chancellor violated all rules and recruited dozens of employees in the last three months breaking all records of the past.

It is alleged that former VC Shireen Akhter has given priority to Chhatra League men in the recruitment. Her closest journalist leaders also took bonanza from this recruitment.   

Earlier on 5 March 2022, the university syndicate cancelled a controversial recruitment of the Department of Persian Language & Literature as five phone calls exposed recruitment corruption.  

On 6 August of the same year, two more audio tapes exposed on recruitment of several posts which published corruption in the recruitment process. The recruitments have been completed defying the direction of the University Grants Commission (UGC). 

Sources said a total of 130 teachers and 238 employees have been recruited during the tenure of Shireen Akhter. On the other hand, a total of 115 third-class and 57 fourth-class employees have been recruited on a daily wage basis without any circular. Shireen Akhter recruited a total of 540 teachers, officials and employees.

Dr. Naim Uddin Hasan Awrangajeb, syndicate member of the University of Chittagong, told Bangladesh Pratidin that former VC Shireen Akhter recruited unnecessary manpower defying the decision of the university syndicate. Her recruitment is unnecessary and questionable. 

Chittagong University Teachers' Association (CUTA) general secretary Professor Abdul Haque said Shireen Akhter has given recruitment on the last time of tenure which indicates her interest.

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on March 24, 2024 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.