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TO THE EDITOR
VC process, VC status and woman VC
A vice chancellor (VC) process should normally involve, among other things, a set of requirements for aspirants to meet in order for them to compete for a VC position and a system for selecting, as well as appointing a VC. The VC process should inter alia be reliable, competitive, accountable and transparent so that it could create, among other things, an equal opportunity for all VC aspirants to participate in the process; and facilitate the selection of the right person at the right time. A sitting VC may enjoy his or her status from several sources. For example: one, the formal status accorded to the VC (as applicable) by say, a country's government; and two, the status the VC can derive through commanding the respect of the communities (particularly, the student community) he or she serves and the society in which he
or she lives and contributes.
In the latter case, the prospect of sustainability is higher, especially in terms of time period because the status gained may even last posthumously. It is not only applicable to VCs but to professors and others. In Bangladesh, there are many examples of highly regarded and dedicated teachers and VCs, among others. I heard from my mother (Syeda Sultana Haq) and others how did a number of my deceased maternal grandfathers like, Prof. Yousuf Ali (Dhaka College), Prof. M. Ershadullah, and Prof. Abdul Halim (Dhaka University) commanded the respect of their students.
I read with interest the recent discussions on the status of VCs in a number of leading Bangladeshi dailies. I have at least two comments to make on those discussions: firstly, there is a perceived need for Bangladesh to review the existing VC process with
a view to bringing about a solid improvement in the selection, as well as appointment of VCs; and secondly, the sitting VCs have the opportunity to promote and sustain their status in the society through personal, as well as professional, excellence regardless of the fact whether or not they are accorded a protocol status by the government, for example.
Bangladesh should take immediate measures to ensure gender balance in the appointment of university VCs. I do not think the country has got any female VCs at this point in time. I am confident there would not be any dearth of suitable female candidates for those positions. But the question is: Whether country would afford them an opportunity to serve in those positions in the nearest future?
Dr. M. S. Haq
New York
Plight of retd BJMC
employees
A recent survey of the various jute mills under BJMC revealed that the retired personnel have not received any gratuity for the fiscal year 2000-2001. These retd. personnel who dedicated their youth and the better part of their life in the service of BJMC are now in their old age and in a miserable condition -- neglected and forsaken.
Most of them are now disabled or suffering from old age diseases. They are unemployed with no source of income. Most of their children are in school, college or unemployed. They have grown up daughters whom they cannot get married off due to lack of money.
The only hope in their old age was gratuity . But this gratuity has become a mirage from the fiscal year 2000-2001.
Many of these hapless retired personnel or their dependants have died without treatment for
lack of money. They had savings no doubt but these savings lasted for only a year or two. After that, to make ends meet, they have taken large debts. But since there is no sign of getting their gratuity, even the near relatives are now shying away to give fresh loans. The result is inevitable. They and their dependants will die like paupers for want of money -- the money which is rightfully theirs but now being denied by certain unscrupulous quarters.
While we are chanting catchy slogans for the eradication of poverty, we are in fact, creating poverty, in the case by denying the retired personnel their dues.
The purpose for writing this letter is to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to the dire pitiful condition of the retd personnel. We should bear in mind that one day we all will become old and jobless. Surely none would not like to get harassed for their rightful dues. Syed Hossain Ali
Ex-Asstt. Manager, Production, Khulna-9000
Demands of Garos should be met without delay
The incident that took place on January 3, 2004 in the wake of constructing a wall to ring Modhupur forest in pursuit of controversial eco-tourism project caused the death of an indigenous youth. It is a clear sign of unbending attitude of the government towards the demands of these indigenous people. Garos have been living there for generations. Their livelihood depends on the forest to considerable extent. In fact, they are inextricable part of the forest. They have distinct lifestyle and culture that should be given every opportunity to evolve without any sort of restraint. Our constitution also embraces the same spirit in Article 23, which states "The State shall adopt measures to conserve the culture and heritage of the people." But in the name of preserving environment, there is no reason to jeopardise their life as well as culture. So, we hope the government will reconsider the project once again in order to assuage the grievances of the ethnic group and make them believe that they are no longer discriminated against as a whole.
Bivuti Tarafder
3rd year, Department of law, DU.
B Chowdhury, Kamal Hossain, the third force etc.
I have just gone through the news items covering the subject mentioned in the title in DS Jan 7, 2004 and the only reaction I have is that of abhorrence. Why our politicians fail to understand that the root cause of the problem lies
not how much better is the party or the individual than the other but an all round distrust of the people in our politicians of any shade or colour. They have the unprecedented record of failing us over the past three decades. Their voices have simply turned into empty rhetoric. Remember the famous story of the " Emperor's new clothes". Honestly even a child can see through their caricatures and somersaults.
I do not hold the key to overcome the current impasse! But for a change, our politicians should try first being patriots. Yet I must admit I have great faith in the teeming millions of the poor and the downtrodden of this country, who will one day deliver us from this "cage" where our politicians are holding us as hostages.
Shamsher Chowdhury
Dhaka, on e-mail