JUST Refutes Reports: Denies Allegations of Promotion Delays

Three meetings were held on Wednesday, August 27, at the administrative building of Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) following reports in several newspapers and online media alleging that promotions and upgradations of teachers, officers, and staff had been stalled under the vice-chancellor’s administration. The meetings, chaired by Treasurer Professor Dr. Hossain Al Mamun, were attended by deans of various faculties, departmental chairmen, office heads, as well as teachers, officers, and employees.

During the meetings, the JUST administration strongly refuted what it described as “false and fabricated reports” published under the headline “Allegations Against the Vice-Chancellor Over Stalled Promotions at JUST.”

The administration stated: “The report alleged that the upgradation and promotion of teachers, officers, and staff had been halted. In reality, following the fall of the previous government through a mass uprising, administrative vacancies emerged at all levels. Upon assuming office, the vice-chancellor modernized the policies of teachers, officers, and staff in line with the JUST Act 2001. Steps were initiated to restructure higher and lower selection boards for teachers, officers, and staff. Recently, the ministry nominated board members for 15 departments, while the remaining nominations are in process. On August 15, the Regent Board proposed names for the rest of the selection boards. Following updated policies, on August 18 the registrar requested planning committee recommendations for teacher upgradation, which was also published on the university’s website on August 19. Once planning committee reports are received from departments, the boards will commence sequentially.”

University sources added that circulars for recruitment and promotion of teachers and officers were issued on March 23, and another for teachers, officers, and staff on June 2. Applications received for both internal and external recruitment and promotion are currently under verification and comparative study (CS). For teacher recruitment, 58 boards—29 higher and 29 lower—must be constituted across 28 departments and one faculty, half of which were approved in the Regent Board meeting on August 15. Seventeen boards for officer and staff recruitment and promotion were also approved at the same meeting.

The administration further argued: “When recruitment and promotion circulars were issued in March and June, verification processes are ongoing, and the Regent Board approved the formation of boards on August 15, followed by departmental letters on August 18 regarding upgradation, then how logical or fact-based is the report published on August 23 under the headline ‘Allegations Against the Vice-Chancellor Over Stalled Promotions at JUST’? We categorically protest and condemn such false and baseless reporting. This kind of fabrication and propaganda can only be described as an expression of personal vendetta.”