CU cancels Muntassir Mamoon's appointment as 'Bangabandhu Chair'

Chittagong University has terminated the appointment of historian Professor Muntassir Mamoon from the "Bangabandhu Chair", citing failure to perform his assigned duties. 

He has also been directed to return all salary and allowances drawn after 15 March 2023. Data from the university's accounts section show his honorarium had been disbursed until July, meaning he owes around Tk39 lakh.

According to a letter signed by Acting Registrar Prof Mohammad Saiful Islam on 19 October, the decision was made following the recommendations of the 7th meeting of the Bangabandhu Chair Executive Committee on 9 March this year and its approval at the university's 562nd Syndicate meeting on 1 August.

"Prof Mamoon didn't carry out the responsibilities he was assigned as Bangabandhu Chair, such as research, publication of papers, or organising seminars," acting registrar Saiful Islam told TBS. "Despite that, he continued receiving monthly payments, which led the Syndicate to take this unanimous decision."

Confirming the decision, CU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof Mohammed Shamim Uddin Khan said, "The Syndicate unanimously decided to terminate his appointment and instructed that his payments be refunded."

In November 2024, the sixth meeting of the Bangabandhu Chair Executive Committee raised allegations that Prof Mamoon had received salary and benefits for over a year and a half without fulfilling his duties. The committee noted that since 5 March 2023, he had failed to produce any research, publications, or lectures as required.

Under the rules of the Bangabandhu Chair, the appointed professor must submit progress reports every six months, write at least two research papers, and organise four lectures annually.

However, the university found no record of such activities in its library, museum, or registrar's office. When asked for clarification, Prof Mamoon submitted a written response that the authorities deemed unsatisfactory.

The Bangabandhu Chair was established on 27 August 2017 during the university's 510th Syndicate meeting to promote research on the life and work of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Prof Muntassir Mamoon, a retired teacher of Dhaka University's history department, was appointed to the position in February 2021 for two years and formally joined on 15 March that year. His tenure was later extended for another two years in March 2023.

Under the contract, he received the status of a first-grade professor with a monthly remuneration of Tk1.39 lakh.