Teachers of Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU) staged a human chain and protest on Sunday at the university campus, opposing the appointment of an external academic as Pro-Vice Chancellor and demanding its immediate withdrawal. The protest centred on a government notification naming Prof Md Jahedur Rahman of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University as Pro-VC, which the teachers’ body said undermines institutional autonomy and academic dignity.
The demonstration followed an emergency meeting of the GAU Teachers’ Association held at the university’s Old Auditorium, where members unanimously rejected the appointment and urged authorities to select a Pro-VC from within the university’s own academic pool, according to a statement in a press.
Teachers argued that Gazipur Agricultural University has a strong group of qualified and experienced faculty members capable of holding senior leadership roles. They said appointing an external candidate disregards internal competence and the leadership potential of existing academics.
Addressing the meeting, Teachers’ Association General Secretary Prof Mohammad Saiful Alam said the decision overlooked the capability of GAU faculty and called for immediate cancellation of the appointment. He urged authorities to reconsider and appoint a Pro-VC from within the institution.
Protesters warned that any attempt to implement the decision without consultation would face peaceful but firm resistance. They said safeguarding academic stability, institutional autonomy and teachers’ professional dignity was non-negotiable.
As part of their protest programme, teachers formed a human chain in front of the Administrative Building and temporarily blocked access to the facility. Speakers said the appointment of an outsider to a key leadership position did not reflect the expectations of the university community.
Teachers’ Association President Professor Nasrin Akter Ivy said the move contradicted the university’s academic identity and longstanding expectations regarding internal leadership appointments. She added that concerns over an external appointment had been raised for several weeks prior to the issuance of the order on 7 June.
Following the notification, teachers intensified their protests and renewed their demand for withdrawal of the appointment order. Association leaders said the movement would continue until what they described as the legitimate expectations and interests of the university community were respected.
