Six research papers associated with Gopalganj Science and Technology University (GSTU) have been retracted from international journals following allegations of serious irregularities. The retractions were triggered by issues including inconsistencies in data and results, fake or influenced peer reviews, unreliable findings, and the unregulated use of artificial intelligence (AI) or computer generated content.
Other grounds for retraction cited by publishers included citation manipulation and third-party interference. The retracted works involve one faculty member, named in two papers, and four former students, named across four separate papers.
According to an analysis of the Retraction Watch database, which tracks international research retractions and editorial notices, these papers were formally retracted between 11 October 2023 and 20 June 2026. The studies were originally published between 2022 and June 2024. At the time of publication, the institution was known as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU); it was renamed GSTU via a government notification on 16 January 2025.
The retracted papers originate from several departments: two from Mathematics, two from Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, two from Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (including one joint publication with Biochemistry), and one from Food Engineering.
Analysis shows that data inconsistency and unreliability were the primary reasons for five of the retractions. Three papers faced allegations of fake peer reviews and unregulated AI use, while two were flagged for suspicious institutional identity and third-party interference.
Faria Ahmed Shami, an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics, had the highest number of retractions with two papers: “Notion of Complex Spherical Fuzzy Graph with Application” and “The Reformulated F-Index of Vertex and Edge F-Join of Graphs”. These were pulled due to data inconsistencies, unreliability, fake peer reviews, unregulated AI content, irrelevant citations, and third-party interference.
Two papers by Tanjim Ishraq Rahman, a former student of the 2015-16 academic session in the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, were also retracted. These titles, “COVID-19 in Bangladesh: Wave-centric Assessments and Mitigation Measures for Future Pandemics” and “Advanced Implications of Nanotechnology in Disease Control and Environmental Perspectives”, were cited for suspicious institutional identity and data unreliability. The latter also featured Dipto Dey, a former Biochemistry and Molecular Biology student currently studying in the United States.
Additionally, the paper “Multifaceted Role of Natural Sources for COVID-19 Pandemic as Marine Drugs”, involving former Biochemistry student Sheikh Sohag (now studying in Japan), was retracted for data inconsistency and AI use. Another paper, “The Experimental Significance of Isorhamnetin as an Effective Therapeutic Option for Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis”, featuring former Food Engineering student Md Hasibul Hasan (currently a postgraduate student at Bangladesh Agricultural University), was retracted for suspicious institutional identity and unreliable results.
Responding to the developments, Md Shamsul Arefin, director of the university’s Research Centre, said that the matter had come to their attention. “A research paper can be retracted for various reasons. It is not appropriate to reach a conclusion without a proper investigation. Necessary action will be taken according to university policy following an inquiry,” he said.
Nazmus Sadat, vice chancellor of GSTU, emphasised that the issue affects the university’s reputation. “Necessary steps have been taken. We will speak with those involved to determine the reasons behind these retractions. If any misconduct is proven, action will be taken as per university rules,” the VC added.
