Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan has resigned, stepping down after a year and a half marked by instability, criticism over security failures and unprecedented disputes over appointments and promotions.
On Sunday morning, he submitted his resignation letter to Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon, citing personal and administrative reasons. In the letter, Niaz Ahmed sought to return to his substantive post as a Grade-I professor in the Department of Development Studies under the university’s chancellor, the president.
His protocol officer, Mohammad Firoz Shah, confirmed the resignation.
Niaz Ahmed was appointed vice-chancellor on 27 August 2024 following the July mass uprising. Nearly 18 months later, on 10 February, he first expressed his intention to resign at a press conference, saying the university situation had stabilised and that he wished to allow an elected political government to reorganise the administration in its own way. He formally stepped down five days after the newly elected government assumed office.
His tenure was marked by repeated controversy. From the outset, critics in various quarters alleged that he was aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami. During his term, the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election was held, in which Islami Chhatra Shibir, backed by Jamaat-e-Islami, secured victory. Several student organisations alleged electoral manipulation with administrative support.
Less than a month after he took office, on 18 September, a young man named Tofazzal Hossain was beaten to death at Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall on suspicion of theft, sparking nationwide outrage and allegations that the administration had failed to ensure campus security. A charge sheet was later filed against 21 students, and several were temporarily expelled.
Eight months later, on 13 May 2025, university student and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Shahriar Alam Samya was fatally stabbed by assailants at Suhrawardy Udyan. The incident triggered campus protests, with Chhatra Dal and left-leaning student groups demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor and the proctor, accusing the administration of serious security lapses.
A section of students affiliated with Islami Chhatra Shibir supported Niaz Ahmed, holding meetings with the administration and calling for expanded CCTV coverage, tighter control of outsiders and joint operations to improve safety.
In November, controversy erupted after the university initially filed, and later withdrew, a case against central library employee Mostafa Asif Arnob over allegations of harassing a female student. Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said the case had been withdrawn under pressure from what he described as a “Touhidi Janata”.
Although an anti-sexual harassment committee was reconstituted on 26 June 2025, students complained that the cell and investigation committee were ineffective and slow in resolving complaints. The administration, however, said it was investigating both old and new complaints through complaint boxes, email submissions and ongoing policy reforms.
Academic rankings also drew scrutiny during his tenure. In the QS World University Rankings, Dhaka University slipped from 554th in 2024 to 584th in 2025. Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed, an assistant general secretary candidate from Chhatra Dal in the DUCSU election, alleged that the administration had concealed the decline while claiming progress in briefings.
However, the university showed improvement in the Times Higher Education rankings, rising from the 1001–1200 band to 801–1000, although it had previously ranked within 601–800 in 2022. A teacher evaluation system finalised by the syndicate in 2022 was due to be implemented in July 2024 but was not enforced during Niaz Ahmed’s tenure. According to the registrar, although the matter was discussed at the Deans’ Committee, no final decision was taken.
The most significant controversy surrounding his departure related to staff recruitment and promotions. Although university rules allow a maximum of 21 promotions per year, Niaz Ahmed initiated the promotion of 207 employees at once. Critics described the move as a breach of regulations and unprecedented, alleging that junior staff had been promoted over more qualified candidates.
His administration also faced criticism over the continued ban on student politics in halls, discussions on deploying the army during the DUCSU election, and clashes with students of Dhaka College. Allegations of political bias against the administration were widespread.
Against this backdrop of multifaceted crises and controversy, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan stepped down after the newly elected government assumed office.
