Dhaka:Allegations have surfaced at Dhaka University (DU) concerning the Institute of Business Administration's (IBA) recruitment process for lecturers. It is claimed that the eligibility criteria were altered to favor the daughter of IBA's Director, Dr. Abu Yousuf Mohammed Abdullah.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the controversy began when a recruitment advertisement was published on May 13, seeking lecturers for seven positions at IBA. The eligibility criteria specified a minimum CGPA of 3.50 or a first-class result, aligning with university regulations. However, Noor Jahan Abdullah, the director's daughter, who holds a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) degree from University College London, did not meet these criteria.
Following the advertisement, a list of applicants was reportedly sent to the Pro-Vice Chancellor (academic) without clear indications of eligibility, leading to its return. Subsequently, a new requisition for two lecturer positions was submitted on September 10, allegedly to accommodate the director's daughter by including criteria of 'CGPA 3.50 or First Class or Above 65% mark,' which aligns with her academic results.
The Coordination and Development (C and D) Committee at IBA, headed by the director, approved the revised criteria, awaiting university administration approval. The Vice-Chancellor returned the file to the Pro-VC (academic) for further review, where it remains pending.
Efforts to reach IBA Director Dr. Abdullah for comment were unsuccessful due to his reported illness. DU Pro-VC (academic) Professor Dr. Abdus Salam stated that the matter is under consideration and will be handled according to university rules. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam also refrained from commenting, noting that the issue has not yet reached his office.