17 teachers dismissed from Gopalganj Science and Technology University

Gopalganj Science and Technology University (GSTU) has permanently dismissed 16 teachers for failing to rejoin their workplaces after the expiration of their study leave. Additionally, another teacher was terminated on charges of violating public service rules and irregularities related to a PhD scholarship.

The university registrar, Md. Enamuzzaman, issued separate official orders detailing the decisions on Sunday (June 28).

According to the official notifications, the decisions were finalized during the 43rd Regent Board meeting held on June 23. The 16 teachers, who were abroad on study leave, had been repeatedly instructed in writing to rejoin their duties. Following their failure to respond to the directives, the university administration permanently dismissed them to ensure the continuity of regular academic activities.

The 16 dismissed faculty members are: Associate Professor Md. Amirul Islam, Associate Professor Ashraful Hossain Howlader, Assistant Professor Pantha Protim Sarkar, Lecturer Md. Ahsanullah, Lecturer Md. Khairul Bashar, and Lecturer Upama Das of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering department; Assistant Professor Kakoli Khatun of the Statistics department; Lecturer Maimuna Begum (Koli) of the Computer Science and Engineering department; Associate Professor Debabrata Paul of the Chemistry department; Assistant Professor Mohammad Rubaiyat Rahman of the Law department; Assistant Professor Md. Mizanur Rahman of the Public Administration department; Assistant Professor Tasnia Nahian Zulfiqar of the Pharmacy department; Lecturer Adhora Tahsin of the Civil Engineering department; Assistant Professor Farzana Yasmin of the Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering department; Assistant Professor Md. Uzzal Hossain of the Management Studies department; and Assistant Professor Mabia Khatun of the Finance and Banking department.

The university authority has directed these dismissed teachers to refund all the financial benefits they received from the university during their leave periods, in accordance with institutional rules.

In a separate action, Fatema Khatun, an assistant professor in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering department, was permanently dismissed for violating public service regulations and moral turpitude. Based on a separate decision by the Regent Board, her termination came into effect on June 23.

The official order stated that the Regent Board found her guilty beyond doubt after reviewing the report of a fact-finding committee and the recommendations of the discipline board.

University sources revealed that allegations of irregularities regarding a PhD scholarship were brought against her in April this year, prompting the formation of a five-member fact-finding committee. The investigation revealed that although she returned to the country and rejoined the university after her study leave, she failed to submit necessary documents, including her PhD completion date, supervisor certificates regarding her thesis defense, and a clearance certificate from the fellowship trust. The university administration contacted her in writing multiple times, but she failed to provide any response.

Based on the investigation report and the discipline board's recommendations, the Regent Board permanently dismissed her and ordered the recovery of all money received by her from the university during that period.