NSTU Teacher Still Awaits Promotion Six Months After Hunger Strike

Six months after suspending his hunger strike over alleged denial of promotion, Md Golam Mostafa, chairman of the Department of Oceanography and an associate professor at Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), has yet to be promoted to professor.

The delay has renewed frustration among the teacher and students in his department. University authorities, meanwhile, say the promotion and upgradation process is underway and will be completed in stages.

Mostafa began his hunger strike at the university’s central Shaheed Minar at 10:30am on April 21. Teachers and students from his department joined him in solidarity.

At the time, Mostafa alleged that he had been denied promotion to professor for an extended period, damaging his professional dignity and causing him mental distress. He said allegations against him had been found to be false after verification and that his promotion remained stalled despite submitting all information requested by the administration. According to him, the promotion issue had been pending for more than four years when he began the protest.

At noon on the day of the hunger strike, the then pro-vice-chancellor, treasurer and senior teachers visited the Shaheed Minar. As the then vice-chancellor was in Dhaka, the pro-vice-chancellor consulted him and assured Mostafa that his lawful entitlement would be restored within seven to 10 days.

Mostafa suspended his hunger strike following the assurance but set a seven-day deadline, warning that he would resume the protest if his demand was not met. He said the protest was not about securing a position but about seeking redress for what he described as injustice, humiliation and mental harassment.

No decision was made by the previous administration even after the stated deadline passed, according to the report. On May 14, Professor Golam Rabbani was appointed as NSTU’s seventh vice-chancellor through a notification from the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education. Dr Muhammad Shafiqul Islam subsequently took charge as the university’s new pro-vice-chancellor. However, Mostafa’s promotion issue remained unresolved after the new leadership assumed office.

Mahé Afran Abir, a final-year student in the department, said the university administration had assured Mostafa during the hunger strike that his promotion would be resolved quickly.

“It is deeply disappointing that the matter remains unresolved even after the new vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor took office,” Abir said.

He added that ensuring a teacher’s legitimate entitlements, professional dignity and rights was the university administration’s responsibility. Reaffirming the students’ support for Mostafa, he urged the current administration to resolve the matter promptly in accordance with university rules and policies. He also expressed hope that the administration would honour its earlier assurance and take positive steps soon.

Reacting to the continued delay, Mostafa said, “This has crossed the extreme limit of oppression. I have no words left.”

Asked about the matter, Vice-Chancellor Professor Golam Rabbani said the university was currently processing promotions and upgradations. Boards dealing with promotions to assistant professor and associate professor positions were being handled first, followed by the process for professor-level promotions.

Rabbani said Mostafa was not the only eligible academic awaiting promotion, adding that several applications had been submitted by other candidates. Promotion to professor requires expert opinions, but no separate viva voce examination is necessary, he said. The administration would process the cases of all eligible candidates in stages.

Asked whether Mostafa’s promotion could be settled before the next Regent Board meeting, the vice-chancellor said completing the process by then would be difficult.

//DBTech/ SHM/ SME/MVNO//