New VC appointed at SAU after BNP-backed teachers' protest

Professor Dr Muhammad Shafi Ullah Majumder of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU).

He was appointed by a notification signed by Assistant Secretary Md Sultan Ahmed on the order of the President on Monday, September 28. The notification stated that he has been appointed as Vice-Chancellor for four years under Section 10(1) of the Sylhet Agricultural University Act, 2006.

Professor Dr Muhammad Shafi Ullah Majumder will replace SAU's current Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Alimul Islam.

Earlier, from September 7, a section of teachers, officials and employees of the university began a movement demanding the resignation of Professor Alimul Islam, raising allegations of irregularities and corruption against him. BNP-backed teachers' organisation 'Shada Dal' and leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal also joined the movement.

At the start of the movement, nine teachers and officials, including five teachers holding various administrative responsibilities at the university, resigned. They raised allegations of irregularities, corruption, favouritism in procurement and teacher recruitment against the Vice-Chancellor. However, Vice-Chancellor Alimul Islam claimed these allegations were false and baseless.

It may be mentioned that Professor Dr Md Alimul Islam of the Department of Microbiology and Hygiene at Bangladesh Agricultural University was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Sylhet Agricultural University on October 17, 2024. A movement had been ongoing on campus in recent times, raising allegations of irregularities and corruption against him.