campus
Professor Matinur Rahman Assumes Office As 15th IU Vice Chancellor
Professor Dr. A K M Matinur Rahman officially took charge as the 15th Vice Chancellor of Islamic University during an administrative ceremony on Friday.
Why it matters:
- Core institutional reset: The appointment marks a critical turning point for Islamic University as it attempts to realign with its foundational academic goals.
- Correcting past course: The new leadership explicitly promised to address and reverse historical administrative deviations that pulled the university away from its original mission.
The big picture:
- A historic legacy: Founded on November 22, 1979, by former President Ziaur Rahman, Islamic University stands as the first state-run university established in post-independence Bangladesh.
- New leadership details: Senior Professor Rahman, hailing from the university’s Public Administration department, stepped into his new office at the main administration building exactly at noon on May 15.
Between the lines:
- Broad administrative backing: A robust coalition of top university executives attended the ceremony, including Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. M A Yeaqub Ali and Treasurer Professor Dr. Jahangir Alam.
- Faculty support networks: Key institutional figures such as Proctor Professor Dr. Shahinuzzaman, Student Advisor Professor Dr. Obaidul Islam, UTAB branch President Professor Dr. Tozammel Hossain, and Zia Parishad President Professor Dr. Faruquzzaman also joined the welcoming ranks.
- Symbolic remembrance tributes: Immediately after taking his seat, the new Vice Chancellor paid respects at the central monument and foundation stone, leading prayers for the family of Ziaur Rahman, language martyrs, freedom fighters, and the casualties of the July uprising.
- Community integration: Following the prayers, the university community gathered for a formal Milad Mahfil at the central mosque after the weekly Jummah prayers.
What’s next:
- Targeted governance focus: The administration will immediately prioritize internal oversight to eliminate systemic inefficiencies and redirect the university back to its core educational directives.
- Call for campus unity: Expressing deep gratitude to the current government for deeming him qualified, Rahman is urging all campus stakeholders to collaborate and move the institution forward in a positive direction.
Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) will suspend all classes from May 20 to June 11 for Eid-ul-Adha and the summer recess. With the addition of the weekly holidays on June 12 and 13, students will enjoy a total of 25 days off. The announcement was made on Monday (May 18) through an official notice signed by Acting Registrar Prof. Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman.
According to the notice, all university offices will also remain closed from May 20 through June 4.
Several events, however, will take place during the break. On May 25, a floral tribute will be paid at the Nazrul sculpture at 10:00 am as part of the Nazrul Birth Anniversary 2026 celebrations. All deans, directors, departmental heads, provosts, and proctors have been asked to attend. The main anniversary programme will be held on June 24 and 25, after the holiday period.
Additionally, University Day will be observed on June 3 during the break with a flag hoisting, release of pigeons, and distribution of sweets. The main events of the day will be held after the recess.
The notice further stated that security personnel and essential service staff will remain on duty throughout the holiday period. Any negligence of duty will be dealt with under the service disciplinary rules. All departments and offices have also been instructed to submit attendance records on the first working day after the recess.
Why it matters
The fierce resistance highlights a growing national debate over institutional autonomy and the right of specialized public universities to choose internal leadership. The crisis is further complicated by an ultimatum to completely ban student politics on campus, amplified by conflicting statements from political parties that have drastically deepened the administrative deadlock.
The big picture
The unrest erupted after the Education Ministry issued an official gazette notification on May 14, appointing Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) as the new VC. Angry students immediately rejected the decision, locking the university’s main gates and administrative buildings to completely freeze all academic and official operations.
Between the lines
Protesters argue that an outside academic cannot effectively grasp DUET’s unique technical educational system, specialized academic structures, and distinct field-level administrative challenges. They firmly demand that the top administrative position must be filled by one of the university’s own senior professors, whose long-term internal experience makes them far better suited to lead effectively.
By the numbers
- 20: At least twenty individuals, including both students and police officers, were injured during a day-long, bloody clash on Sunday following heated altercations between general students, outsiders, and Chhatra Dal activists.
- 12: At least twelve of the injured are currently in critical condition and had to be rushed to the local sadar hospital for advanced medical care.
What’s next
Heavy police deployments remain stationed across the campus and surrounding regional areas to control the volatile situation as students continue their protest marches. The restoration of a normal academic environment now hinges entirely on whether the Education Ministry and government policymakers choose to replace the controversial appointee or enforce the transition.
Professor Dr. Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain has officially assumed office as the eighth Vice Chancellor of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University.
Why it matters: The appointment brings proven administrative leadership from Jamalpur Science and Technology University to stabilize and systemically advance the institution. It marks a strategic shift toward structured academic growth and campus discipline after periods of transition.
The big picture: The new Vice Chancellor took his oath of office on Saturday, May 16, immediately signing the official joining letter. Following the ceremony, he paid tribute at key university landmarks, including the sculpture of National Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam and the university foundation stone. He then convened an immediate exchange meeting with all faculty deans, departmental heads, and top administrative officers to align operational goals.
Between the lines: Hossain explicitly warned administrative factions against political manipulation and internal corporate whispering. By demanding transparency, he made it clear that personal ideologies must not morph into “hybrid” opportunistic behavior on campus.
What’s next: The administration will focus on building a research-backed, student-first ecosystem rather than allowing students to be used as political pawns. Over his fixed four-year tenure, Hossain aims to fill institutional gaps and elevate the university’s ranking through collective, structured teamwork.
By the numbers:
- The specific number of years President Mohammed Shahabuddin approved for this VC tenure under Section 10(1) of the University Act, 2006.
- Core professional pillars demanded by the new VC from his staff: cooperation, empathy, and constructive advice.
- The definitive rank of Dr. Hossain in the historical timeline of the university’s executive leadership.