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Worries over TIB report, but specific proof sought

Staff Correspondent
Noted educationists Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman and Serajul Islam Choudhury termed the findings of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) over alleged financial corruption in teacher recruitment in some public universities alarming, while two vice chancellors called upon the corruption watchdog to disclose specific information of the corruption.
In its report titled "Recruitment of Lecturers in Public Universities: Governance Challenges and Ways Forward”, TIB said it had found allegations of unauthorised financial transactions in eight public universities while political leanings, nepotism, regionalism, and religious identity were found as dominant factors in the recruitment process at 13 public universities.
The findings reflect the reasons behind the declining quality in education, opined Serajul Islam. "We had a common perception, but what TIB has produced is a documentary proof which is undeniable," he said.
"We knew about the practice of nepotism and political favouritism as factors in the recruitment process but what has surprised me most is the financial transaction."
Serajul Islam said, "It's not a place of bribe. Even if a single incident of bribery [for the recruitment of lecturer] had taken place, then what remains of us? It's very disappointing."
Less qualified teachers deprive meritorious students, he said. "They [the less qualified) don't develop themselves and students don't get confidence. As a result, the quality of education is declining."
On the other hand, the recruitment of less qualified candidates disappoints meritorious students, he said. "They don't apply for the post of lecturer, but rather seek
employment elsewhere. ”
To secure the job of a lecturer, one had to make an unauthorised payment ofTk 3 lakh to 20 lakh, the report says.
Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman said, "I don't know how much representative is the report. In some cases, political and personal considerations are emphasised during recruitment. But I don't know how much wide-spread the practice is."
"I've never heard of transaction of money in the recruitment. If it is true, there won't remain any scope for us to show our face," he said.
"I'm feeling embarrassed and terrified,” Anisuzzaman added.
About remedies, Serajul Islam said UGC might put pressure upon the persons who were responsible for appointment.
“Above all, the universities are not functioning properly. Nepotism and political favouritism grip the universities and have created an infallible attitude," he said.
“I don't find any simple solution."
Dhaka University's Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique claimed that proper ways were followed in the recruitment process at his university.
"Our policies are fairly specific," he said, adding that during recruitment, they considered academic activities and merit of candidates and how the teachers evaluated them.
Saying that there is no mention of a specific incident of financial transaction, he said, "1'11 take measures if any such incident has taken place in my university. ”
Questioning the intention of TIB, Jahangirnagar University's Vice Chancellor Farzana Islam called upon the corruption watchdog to give proof of unauthorised financial transactions that happened during the recruitment of lecturer. "You may call it nepotism. Doesn't TIB practice nepotism during recruitment?"
"I've been carrying out duties since March 2014. To my knowledge, no teacher has been appointed without following rules and regulations by my office. Each of them is competent,” Farzana said, adding she was unaware of anything that had happened outside of her office during this period.
Asking TIB to disclose information, she said, “I myself is eager to know if anything had happened outside of my office. If anyone is found guilty, action will be taken.”