• He has a GPA of 3.5 in SSC and 3.1 in HSC

TDS Desk:

Allegations have surfaced against a teacher, who has been serving as an assistant professor in the Department of History and Archaeology at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) for 12 years, despite not meeting the required qualifications.

He received a “C” in mathematics in Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and a “D” in English in Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), with a GPA of 3.50 in SSC and 3.1 in HSC.

The matter has caused uproar within the university after becoming public. The accused teacher is Md Yousuf.

The job advertisement for the position clearly stated that candidates must have at least a GPA of 4 (A) in either SSC or HSC and a first-class (minimum GPA of 3.5) in their bachelor’s degree.

Despite not meeting these qualifications, questions have been raised about how the recruitment committee appointed him and how he has continued teaching for 12 years.

A written complaint has been lodged by Golam Rabbani, an associate professor in the same department, questioning the legitimacy of Yousuf’s appointment.

In the complaint to the university registrar, he requested to investigate the matter and take action against Yousuf. Additionally, he has requested to suspend Yousuf from teaching.

Begum Rokeya University’s registrar, Engineer Alamgir Chowdhury, confirmed receiving the written complaint and stated that an investigation is underway, and necessary steps will be taken.

According to the written complaint, on February 15, 2011, a recruitment advertisement was published in the national daily “Samakal” for the position of lecturer/assistant professor in the Department of History (now known as the Department of History and Archaeology) at Begum Rokeya University.

Although the advertisement was for a single position, the selection board illegally recommended appointing three candidates. Additionally, despite Yousuf not meeting the required qualifications, he was still issued a viva card.

The selection board included five members, and Begum Rokeya University’s ex-vice-chancellor, Professor Abdul Jalil Mia was one of them. The other members of the board were faculties from other departments of the university.

It was also alleged that the selection board violated Section 29 of the Begum Rokeya University Act by recommending the appointment of two candidates for lecturer positions and one for a professor position.

While all the recommendation documents were typed, the word “one” for the lecturer position was crossed out with a pen and replaced with “three,” which was inappropriate and deliberate, it added.

In this regard, Golam Rabbani, associate professor of the History and Archaeology Department at Begum Rokeya University and the complainant, said: “It is a disgrace for the academic community that an unqualified person was appointed as a teacher at a university like Begum Rokeya University.”

In response, Yousuf claimed: “The terms in clause “D” of the recruitment advertisement state that ‘no grade below B or any third division/class is acceptable.’ According to this, I am eligible to apply, which is why the selection board recommended me.”

When asked about the condition in clause “C” of the advertisement, which required a minimum grade A (GPA of 4.0 based on a 5.00 point grading system) in either SSC or HSC, Yousuf responded: “That is a weakness of the circular. It is not my responsibility.”