JUST Junta Jolted: Jashore University of Science and Technology Imposes Sweeping Sanctions

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) has imposed stern disciplinary measures, suspending two teachers and two officials temporarily, and permanently dismissing another official, following allegations of misconduct and breach of discipline. In addition, eight students have been expelled from dormitories and banned from entering the campus.

The decisions were taken at the 108th meeting of the university’s highest policymaking body, the Regent Board, held on Friday, August 15, at the administrative building’s conference hall. The board also approved postgraduate fellowships, staff upgradations, the construction of a new gate in honor of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia—the first to lay the foundation stone of the university, the launch of an Accreditation Research Cell, and the closure of unauthorized Facebook pages using the university’s name and logo.

According to Regent Board sources, Dr. Firoz Kabir, Assistant Professor of the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, was temporarily suspended for “making statements that strengthened the hand of autocracy” and for preventing students from attending Friday prayers during a July protest—conduct deemed inconsistent with that of a teacher.

Similarly, Professor Dr. Asikur Rahman of the Department of Chemical Engineering was suspended for traveling abroad to pursue postdoctoral research without official permission. The board also suspended Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, Deputy Director of the Planning, Development and Works (PND) Department, who has been charge-sheeted in an Anti-Corruption Commission case, and reinstated but then suspended again Assistant Engineer Md. Shafiul Alam of the Engineering Department.

Meanwhile, based on the recommendations of an investigation committee and under provisions of the University Act, Helalul Islam, General Secretary of Jashore District Bangabandhu Parishad and former General Secretary of the University Officers’ Association, has been permanently dismissed.

The Regent Board also approved disciplinary measures against eight students. Four were expelled from dormitories and banned from campus entry for assaulting journalist Shihab Uddin of Amader Shomoy while he was covering a violent clash between two factions of the banned student organization Chhatra League in 2022. They include postgraduate students Akib Ibne Sayeed (Accounting and Information Systems), Nasim Bahar (Physical Education and Sports Science, 2022–2023), Nur Alam (same department and session), and Soumik (same department, 2021–2022).

Another four students were expelled for obstructing the removal of Chhatra League activist and abduction case accused, Mohammad Rafi, from the halls. The expelled include Rafi himself (Physical Education and Sports Science, 2020–2021), along with Al Mamun, Forhad Tushar Imran, and Kabirul from the 2022–2023 batch of the same department.

The university also approved the launch of a Research Fellowship program: master’s students in a one-and-a-half-year thesis track will receive Tk 2,500 per month for 12 months, while students in the two-year research master’s program will receive Tk 3,000 per month for up to 18 months, provided they publish at least one academic paper.

Further decisions include the establishment of an Innovation–Startup Support Cell to encourage student self-reliance and entrepreneurship, three upgradations for officials and four for staff, and the closure of unauthorized Facebook pages and groups using the university’s name and logo within one week. Failure to comply will result in cancellation of current students’ enrollment and revocation of alumni certificates.