IU teacher suspended over sexual harassment allegations; probe committee formed

An associate professor at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia has been suspended following allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct made by several female students.

The university administration confirmed the suspension of Dr Md Azizul Islam, associate professor of the Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering department, through an official notice issued today (5 July).

According to the notice, the suspension comes in response to formal complaints submitted by students accusing Azizul of making indecent remarks in class, sending inappropriate messages, making late-night video calls, body-shaming, and even tampering with exam marks.

The accusations, widely reported in both national and local media, have caused significant damage to the university's reputation, the notice stated.

Azizul has been suspended from his post effective today and will receive subsistence allowance as per university rules during the suspension period, it added.

Meanwhile, in another notice, the university administration announced that a four-member investigation committee, led by Professor Muhammad Nazimuddin from the Al-fiqh and Legal Studies department, has been formed to probe the matter.

Other members include Professor Md Fakhrul Islam (Public Administration), Professor Khondokar Arifa Akter (Bangla), and Professor Maksuda Akter (Law).

The committee has been directed to submit a detailed report within 20 working days.

According to media reports, earlier, students from multiple academic years (2018-19 to 2021-22) submitted written complaints to the department head and later appealed to the university vice-chancellor for justice.

The complaints include allegations of unsolicited messages and calls late at night, inappropriate behaviour in private meetings, and sexually suggestive questions during class.

Attempts to contact Azizul for comments were unsuccessful.