Dhaka University journalism department without a permanent chairman for two years

The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka has been running without a permanent chairman for two years, because of legal complications, delays in investigating a sexual harassment allegation, and the unwillingness of other teachers to take the post. Faculty deans have carried the additional responsibility by virtue of their office, but students say the absence of a permanent chairman has caused administrative difficulties and academic delays.

According to sources, after Professor Dr Abul Mansur Ahmed's term ended in June 2024, Professor Dr Nadir Junaid was due to take charge of the department under the rules. That became impossible after he was temporarily relieved of academic duties over a sexual harassment allegation.

Because the investigation and final settlement of the allegation have not been completed, Nadir Junaid cannot return to the department, and no other teacher has agreed to take the chairman's post for fear of legal complications.

To manage the situation, the university administration gave the responsibility to the faculty dean by virtue of office. As deans changed over the past two years, the department has had five chairmen — Professor Rasheda Irshad Nasir, Professor Dr Taiyebur Rahman, Professor Dr Mohammad Moinul Islam, Professor Dr Md Mehedi Hasan Khan, and currently Professor Kazi Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, who is serving as acting dean.

Students complain that without a permanent chairman they regularly face difficulties. A third-year student of the department, speaking on condition of anonymity, said official work such as applications, certificates, recommendation letters and research approvals requires long waits for decisions; many matters must go through the faculty dean, slowing the work, and even a small administrative task can take several days or more.

Another student said the impact is not limited to administrative work but extends to academic activities, with delays even where quick decisions are needed. They want the university administration to find a permanent solution quickly and appoint a permanent chairman to the department.

A teacher of the department, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Dr Nadir Junaid was supposed to become chairman, but an inquiry committee was formed against him; after the fact-finding committee found substance in the allegation, the matter was sent to the central sexual harassment cell, but the investigation has still not been completed.

The teacher added that Professor Nadir Junaid has filed a case in the High Court so that his seniority for the chairmanship is not lost, and the university has appealed. Altogether, those after him are also not interested in taking the responsibility, fearing that the court might issue another injunction.

Professor Kazi Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, acting dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, said, 'I want the department's chairman to come from the department itself. This is an additional responsibility for me. Handling the duties of a faculty dean and a department chairman at the same time is very difficult.' He said that, having only recently been appointed, he has not yet been able to take steps on the matter, but will soon speak with the department's teachers and the university authorities.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam said that after taking office he spoke with the dean of the faculty and other teachers of the department, and they too want a chairman appointed from their own department. 'We will try to give a chairman from the department very soon. I hope it will be resolved very soon,' he said. Asked about the legal complications, the vice-chancellor said he had no information on that matter.