PD Removed Over Politics, HC Suspends UGC Appointment

In a surprising turn of events, the High Court has suspended the appointment of Professor Asaduzzaman as Project Director of the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project under the University Grants Commission (UGC), following a controversial one-day leadership change.

Professor Dr Abul Hasnat Muhammad Solaiman of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University’s Department of Horticulture was initially appointed on 13 March 2024. The very next day, his appointment was revoked on verbal orders of the then Education Minister, allegedly due to his political affiliation with the BNP. Professor Asaduzzaman, a former student political leader, was appointed in his place.

The decision sparked legal action. Professor Solaiman filed a writ petition under Article 102 of the Constitution, claiming the removal was unlawful and violated principles of natural justice.

A bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Ashif Hasan heard the case and ordered the suspension of Professor Asaduzzaman’s appointment. The court directed the government to explain within four weeks why Professor Solaiman’s removal should not be declared illegal and why he should not be reinstated.

Sources noted that the HEAT project, supported by the World Bank, aims to promote research, innovation, and modernization across Bangladesh’s universities. The court observed that removing a government project director requires transparency, fairness, and adherence to due process, which was allegedly ignored in this case.

Professor Solaiman, who topped the project director selection among 32 candidates, criticised the decision as politically motivated. He emphasized that proper inter-ministerial procedures were not followed, and the revocation was rushed even on a government holiday. Academic circles have expressed strong concern over the incident.

The High Court’s ruling temporarily halts changes in project leadership, setting a potential precedent for accountability and fairness in the higher education sector. Professor Solaiman affirmed his commitment to pursuing justice through legal channels.