Gono University forms inquiry committee over viva grade-change allegation against department head

An allegation of changing viva examination grades has been raised against Professor Dr Niloy Kumar Dey, head of the Chemistry Department at Gono University.

Two students of the department's 21st batch, Aktan Rashid and Md Sourav Hossain, say the viva board gave them an 'A' grade, but the final result changed it to 'A minus'.

On Monday (26 October), the two students submitted separate complaint letters over the incident to the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering and to the university's Registrar. The university administration has formed an inquiry committee into the matter.

In their complaints, the students said their fourth-semester viva was held on 12 August before a board of Chemistry Department teachers Sharmin Sultana Rakhi and Bulbul Ahmed. According to the marks given by the viva board, their grade was 'A'.

However, the complaints say, when the final results were published the grade had been changed to 'A minus'.

The students allege that department head Dr Niloy Kumar Dey was involved in the grade change through an abuse of power.

The complaints also requested a neutral inquiry committee to examine the original marks sheet sent by the viva board and the documents used to prepare and publish the final results online.

The students demanded that, if the allegation is proven, action be taken against the person concerned under university rules and that the correct grades be restored.

Questions have also been raised over two messages by Dr Niloy Kumar Dey in the Chemistry Department's WhatsApp group. In one message he wrote, in translation, 'Do some work for admissions. You will be able to do well in the viva, because questions will be asked about the admission work.' In another he wrote, 'Those who have admitted students this semester, email their names, IDs and batch.'

Asked about the allegation, Dr Niloy Kumar Dey said: 'Marks and grades were not changed. There may have been a mistake while uploading them online. If the students have complained, it will be checked against the viva board's grades. If there was a mistake, it will be corrected.'

University Registrar Wahiduzzaman said: 'A complaint has been received on this matter. An inquiry committee has been formed. The investigation is ongoing.'