Former CU pro-VC serves legal notice over syndicate membership

Former Chittagong University (CU) Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan has served a legal notice on the university administration after not receiving an invitation to attend the syndicate and finance committee's 62nd joint meeting on 30 June.

The dispute centres on whether he remains a syndicate member under the professor category after completing his tenure as pro-vice chancellor.

Following a request from the university, the Attorney General's Office reportedly opined that his previous syndicate membership no longer remains valid and that he must be elected again to hold the position.

University authorities say the professor-category syndicate seat became vacant after he joined the post of pro-vice chancellor and subsequently became a syndicate member by virtue of that office. The position has since been marked as vacant in both the university diary and calendar.

However, Prof Shamim, who is known as a Jamaat-backed teacher at the university, argues that under the law his elected membership remains valid until a successor is elected.

The legal notice was sent by Advocate Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan on behalf of the finance department professor, who sought recognition of his status as a syndicate member under the professor category and permission to participate in the 30 June meeting and sign its proceedings.

According to the notice, Prof Shamim was elected a syndicate member under the professor category on 6 March 2023 for a two-year term. He joined as pro-vice chancellor (academic) on 25 September 2024 following a government appointment and served as a syndicate member ex-officio during that period.

After being relieved of the post on 9 June this year, he rejoined the finance department the following day.

The notice argues that his elected syndicate membership was automatically restored upon his return to the department. Citing Section 25(iii) of the Chittagong University Act, 1973, it states that syndicate members remain in office until successors are elected or nominated and assume responsibility.

It also notes that Prof Shamim attended and signed the university's 567th syndicate meeting on 11 June as a professor-category member. Having once recognised him as a member, the university cannot later deny that status, the notice argues, invoking the legal principle of estoppel.

Before sending the legal notice, Prof Shamim wrote to the registrar on 28 June, saying he had not received the invitation issued on 24 June for the 30 June joint meeting. Despite his request, no invitation was sent, and the meeting proceeded without him.

At the meeting, the university approved a proposed revenue budget of Tk503.47 crore for FY2026-27 and a revised revenue budget of Tk489.99 crore for FY2025-26.

Prof Shamim said he was elected by university teachers and that his appointment as pro-vice chancellor was a government deputation.

"The university law clearly states that I remain in office until a successor is elected. A mere misprinted diary or calendar cannot override the law," he told TBS, adding that he would pursue legal action if his elected position were not restored.

Acting Registrar Prof Dr Mohammad Saiful Islam said the vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellors were better placed to comment on the matter.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Al-Forkan said differing legal opinions had been received on whether Prof Shamim could continue as a syndicate member after completing his 18 months' tenure as pro-vice-chancellor. As a result, the syndicate decided to seek the attorney general's opinion.

"Based on that opinion, the university informed Dr Shamim of its decision on 29 June. He subsequently sent a legal notice. If he pursues the matter in court, the university will take further steps in accordance with the law and regulations," the vice-chancellor said.