JnU Live: Allegations of anomalies have tarnished the achievements of two teachers from Jahangirnagar University and Jagannath University, who were recently conferred PhD degrees for their research. 

Assistant Professors Sultana Akter and Rajib Mondol of the history department of Jahangirnagar University and Bangla department of Jagannath University, respectively are at the centre of a controversy over accusations they did not follow mandatory academic regulations.

Dhaka Tribune has learned that history department Assistant Professor Sultana Akter of Jahangirnagar University conducted research under the supervision of Professor M Nurul Islam, president of the higher education committee of that department. 

Her research was titled “Tajuddin Ahmed er Rajniti o Bangladesh er Ovyuddoy,” which translates as “The Politics of Tajuddin Ahmed and the Rise of Bangladesh.” The delay between Prof Sultana’s research seminars was only two months and twelve days.

Meanwhile, Bangla department Assistant Professor Rajib Mondol of Jagannath University conducted research under the supervision of Professor Prithwila Naznin, president of the department’s higher education committee.

His research was titled “Avijit Sen er Kothasahityo: Itihas o Bhugol Paromporjo,” which translates as “The Literary Works of Avijit Sen: A Correlation between History and Geography.”  The delay between Prof Rajib’s research seminars was four months and seven days.

Mandatory regulations for achieving a PhD degree dictate that a researcher must hold at least two seminars on his/her research topic, with a minimum interval of six months between them. The rule was not followed by the higher education committees of the above-mentioned universities.

‘No special consideration’

Responding to a query, Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor and Academic Council President Farzana Islam said: “During the Academic Council meeting, no one brought up the alleged violation of regulations by Prof Sultana Akter. 

“Meanwhile, Rajib Mondol’s PhD degree was pending for a long time. There was no special consideration.”

According to sources from the administration, both Sultana and Rajib joined Jahangirnagar University and Jagannath University, respectively, as part-time researchers. Their tenure concluded on June 30 last year, but they had yet to achieve their degrees.

Dhaka, 26 April (campuslive24.com)//MI