Toufiq Alam takes charge as Barishal University VC
Toufiq Alam has officially taken charge as the new vice-chancellor of Barishal University, just a day after the government relieved Professor Suchita Sharmin of her duties, fulfilling the demand of protesting students and teachers, who were seeking her removal for a month.
Deputy Director of the university's Public Relations Department Faisal Mahmud Rumi confirmed the matter on Thursday (15 May).
Immediately after assuming his role this afternoon, Vice-Chancellor Toufiq Alam addressed the students, saying, "The government has entrusted me with this responsibility under special circumstances…I will work to maintain a harmonious environment among the students, teachers, officers, and staff."
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When asked whether the cases filed by the former vice-chancellor against students would be withdrawn, he said, "I do not know how the cases or general diaries were filed. I will contact senior police officials to ensure the matter is resolved quickly."
The vice-chancellor also said he would sit with all relevant departments to resolve the issues within the university.
Earlier in the afternoon, upon arriving at the campus, teachers and students welcomed the new VC and removed the lock from the administrative building.
After assuming office, he himself unlocked the door to the vice-chancellor's residence.
At that time, he handed over the lock and key to a student and said, "I'm handing this over to you. If you see any injustice happening through me, lock it again."
Former VC Sharmin has been reinstated to her previous post as a professor in the Department of Development Studies at the Dhaka University.
In the same official order, Professor Dr. Md. Toufiq Alam of the Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Rajshahi University was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Barisal University.
