Dhaka University (DU) is gradually losing its academic character, warned Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan in an exclusive interview with The Daily Observer on Wednesday evening.
"Day by day, DU is turning into a non-academic institution," he said, expressing serious concern over what he sees as the growing dominance of politics over scholarship.
Since taking office, Professor Khan said he has been spearheading a “salvage operation” to revive what he describes as a fragmented institution. “Baseless accusations during this effort are disheartening,” he noted. “I welcome constructive criticism—but it must be grounded in logic.”
Earlier on Wednesday, reports surfaced that journalists were unable to reach the VC for urgent campus updates. Addressing the matter, Khan explained, “I work 15 to 16 hours a day. My elderly mother lives in Uttara and is in poor health—I barely get time to see her.”
He revealed that his day had started at 3:30 AM, and by 5:00 AM he was already coordinating with Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam following an arson attack on the home of artist Manbendra Ghosh, designer of the iconic Pohela Boishakh Shovajatra motif. The VC later visited Ghosh’s residence in Manikganj.
“Eighty percent of my day was consumed by that one incident. This is not how a Vice-Chancellor should be spending his time,” he lamented.
To streamline university governance, Khan said a Senior Management Team (SMT) has been established. Moving forward, this team will handle decisions from the VC’s office. In his absence, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha will act as official spokesperson.
Regarding accessibility, Khan clarified that only designated DU correspondents may meet him in person between 5 PM and 7 PM for urgent issues, adding that he prefers not to conduct business over the phone.
On the long-delayed DUCSU election, the VC confirmed that an Election Commissioner has yet to be appointed. All future decisions will go through the DU Syndicate, and the military will be deployed to ensure a peaceful election process.
“I’ve scrapped a provision that previously shielded the DUCSU President—usually the VC—from legal accountability,” he stated. “From now on, legal action can be taken directly in the High Court if the President fails in their duties.”
To prevent misuse of power, Khan announced that major budgetary decisions will now require joint approval. “No future political VC will be able to act unilaterally. My signature alone will no longer be enough,” he affirmed.
Closing the interview, Professor Khan reflected on the personal toll of his role. “I suffer from hypertension and high uric acid levels. I only accepted this responsibility because of the appeal made by the July activists,” he said.
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