Chittagong University (CU) has relieved Professor Dr Muntassir Mamoon of his researcher post of “Bangabandhu Chair” and asked him to refund the money which he has allegedly received in salary and allowance without performing his assigned responsibilities.
The decision was confirmed in an official order signed recently by CU Acting Registrar Professor Dr Mohammad Saiful Islam.
According to the notice, the decision was made based on resolution no 2 of the seventh meeting of the Bangabandhu Chair Executive Committee and resolution no 47 of the university’s 562nd syndicate meeting.
Consequently, the university authorities have cancelled the appointment of Muntassir Mamoon with effect from 15 March 2023. The CU administration has also demanded that the academic refund all payments that he received since that date.
CU Acting Registrar Prof Saiful Islam said, “In line with the syndicate’s decision, Prof Muntassir Mamoon has been relieved of his position. The honorarium he received without performing his duties has been asked to be paid back.”
“Despite his tenure expiring, he continued to draw salary, and he didn’t properly carry out the responsibilities assigned under the terms of his appointment,” he added.
Background of appointment
The post “Bangabandhu Chair” was established at Chittagong University in 2020 to preserve the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and research his life and ideal.
Historian Professor Muntassir Mamoon was appointed as a researcher on 27 February 2021 for a two-year term, which was extended in 2023 by another two years.
However, in September 2024, the CU authorities suspended his salary and benefits. Earlier in November 2024, as per the decision at the meeting of the sixth executive committee, the university evaluated Prof Muntassir Mamoon’s performance and asked for an explanation for his activities. The committee later deemed his response unsatisfactory in its seventh meeting.
Payment details and ‘research’ activity
The CU administrative documents show that Prof Muntassir Mamoon received a total of about Tk60 lakh in salary and allowances over 43 months since his appointment until September 2024 at a monthly honorarium of Tk1.39 lakh. The refund directive covers payments from 15 March 2023 to September 2024, totalling Tk24,32,500.
The university authorities stated that, under the Bangabandhu Chair policy, the researcher is required to publish at least two research papers and deliver four lectures each year. However, since March 2023, Prof Muntassir Mamoon reportedly failed to submit any research report or publication, leading to the administrative action.
