The High Court yesterday questioned the legality of appointment of Prof M Wahiduzzaman as vice chancellor of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) following a writ petition claiming that he has no degree in science and technology.

It issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain why the appointment of Wahiduzzaman as VC of NSTU should not be declared illegal.

In the rule, it also asked the respondents to show cause under what authority Prof Wahiduzzaman has been holding the post of VC.

The secretary to the secondary and higher secondary division of the education ministry, registrar of NSTU and Prof Wahiduzzaman have been made respondents to the rule, Advocate Monjur Alam, a lawyer for the writ petitioner, told The Daily Star.

The bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Ashish Ranjan Das came up with the rule following the writ petition filed by Dr Md Anwarul Bashar, an assistant professor of NSTU, challenging the legality of the appointment of Prof Wahiduzzaman as VC.

Advocate Monjur said Dr M Wahiduzzaman was appointed VC of NSTU on May 31, 2014, although he has not any degree in the science and technology.

Under the rules of Noakhali Science and Technology University Act, 2001, the VC of the university must have a degree in science and technology, he added.

Advocate Shahdeen Malik appeared for the writ petitioner.