Sylhet, Bangladesh: The government has appointed new academic leaders to two public universities in the Sylhet region. Separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Education announced the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor (VC) at Habiganj Agricultural University and a Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Pro-VC) at Sunamganj Science and Technology University.
Shahjalal University Professor Appointed VC of Habiganj Agricultural University
Professor Dr. Md. Mozammel Hoque of the Department of Food Engineering and Tea Technology at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Habiganj Agricultural University (HAU).
The appointment was announced in a notification issued on Monday (July 27) by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, signed by Assistant Secretary Md. Sultan Ahmed.
According to the notification, Dr. Hoque will serve as Vice-Chancellor for four years from the date of joining or until reaching the age of retirement, whichever comes first.
During his tenure, he will receive the salary and benefits equivalent to his current position, along with other privileges attached to the office under existing regulations. As the university's chief executive officer, he will be required to reside on campus full-time.
The notification also states that the President of Bangladesh, in his capacity as Chancellor of the university, may revoke the appointment at any time if deemed necessary.
Previously, the post was held by Professor Dr. Syed Sayem Uddin Ahmed, a faculty member of the Department of Public Health and Epidemiology at Sylhet Agricultural University, who was appointed Vice-Chancellor on October 1, 2024.
Sunamganj Science and Technology University Gets New Pro-VC
In a separate order issued the same day, the Ministry of Education appointed Professor Dr. Md. Jahangir Sarkar of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Science at Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) as the new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Pro-VC) of Sunamganj Science and Technology University (SSTU).
The appointment notification, signed by Assistant Secretary Md. Shah Alam Siraj of the Science and Technology University Branch under the Secondary and Higher Education Division, stated that the appointment was made under Section 12(1) of the Sunamganj Science and Technology University Act, 2020, with the approval of the President and Chancellor.
Under the terms of the appointment, Dr. Sarkar will serve for four years from the date of joining or until retirement, whichever comes first.
He will receive the salary and allowances equivalent to his substantive position and will be entitled to all other benefits provided under university regulations. He is also required to remain on campus full-time while carrying out his duties.
In addition to responsibilities assigned under the university's laws and statutes, he will perform any powers and duties delegated by the Vice-Chancellor.
The notification further states that the appointment may be revoked by the President and Chancellor at any time if necessary.
The government has directed that both appointments take effect immediately in the public interest. Copies of the notifications have been sent to the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser, the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Registrar of SUST, and other relevant authorities.
