The authorities of Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) have asked all the officers and employees of the institution to submit their academic certificates for scrutinising.

"Following allegations of showing fake certificate during the appointment of five employees, we have asked them to submit their certificates for scrutinising. Afterwards many such allegations came and we have asked all the officers and employees to submit their academic certificates," said Dr Rustom Ali, vice chancellor of PUST.

Md Amirul Islam, chairman of business administration department, also the coordinator of officers and employees certificate scrutinising committee, said they have already collected the academic results of the

five accused staff from the education board and submitted the results to the PUST registrar's office.

Asked about results, Amirul said, "This is an official secret and we don't want to say anything at this moment."

A PUST source seeking anonymity, however, said certificate submitted by two of the five staff under question have been found to be fake.

Meanwhile, there are allegations that many teachers of Pust were recruited although they have lower than the stipulated results and/or experience.

"Transparency was not maintained in some cases during earlier recruitments. PUST authorities have now taken initiative to bring accountability in recruitment process for appointing the best persons," said Prof

Dr Anwarul Islam, pro-vice chancellor.

"Recently the authorities have issued a letter to a senior teacher of the university, seeking statement about his appointment. A few other teachers may face such notice in future," he said.

"In the upcoming Regent Board meeting likely to be held on August 18, we will place the report of the results of the verification of staffs certificates and take decision about the teachers' recruitment," he added.

About the authorities' recent move, Awal Kabir Joy, president of the university's teachers association, said, "Many such allegations come due to internal conflicts among the teachers and the employees of the institution. The authorities should not take into account all of these allegations."