Jamalpur Science and Technology University (JSTU) has come under scrutiny over the appointment of five people to key administrative positions without publishing recruitment notices or holding selection tests.
The appointments have sparked questions about transparency and the recruitment process, particularly as the individuals have been assigned to several important administrative offices.
A visit to the university found that the five individuals had been working in different offices since the beginning of this month. One was assigned to the Vice-Chancellor’s office, another to the Planning and Development Office, while three were working at the Registrar’s Office -two inside and one outside.
An investigation found that only one or two of them had received appointment letters, while the rest were yet to receive formal appointment documents. Their joining without official appointment orders has raised questions among university officials and regular employees.
Asked about the appointments without recruitment notices or a selection committee, a responsible source at the Registrar’s Office said five to six people had been temporarily recruited to different positions for up to six months to meet urgent administrative needs and maintain the pace of university operations.
The source said the vice-chancellor had executive authority to make temporary appointments for a maximum of six months.
“As the appointments were made on an urgent and temporary basis, there was no need for a selection committee or prior approval. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has also been verbally informed about the matter,” the source said.
JSTU Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Amir Hossain said the appointments were made to address staff shortages and ensure uninterrupted administrative activities.
“There is a shortage of teachers, officers and employees at the university. Recruitment through regular and long-term advertisements takes considerable time.
To manage the current situation and keep daily operations running, temporary appointments have been made to three positions for a maximum of six months in line with UGC regulations,” he said.
He added that further decisions would be taken based on performance evaluations or in accordance with applicable rules.
“The administration remains committed to maintaining transparency and following established procedures,” he said.
Several university officials and employees, speaking on condition of anonymity, said making sudden appointments without a transparent recruitment process could create dissatisfaction among existing staff and raise questions about administrative accountability.
Meanwhile, reports that most of the newly appointed individuals have links to a particular political party have also sparked discussion within the university community.
The appointments have drawn attention at a time when demands for transparency and reforms in university recruitment have grown stronger since the July 2024 uprising.
