CoU Correspondent :
The semester final examination for third-year second-semester students of the 2020-21 session in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Comilla University (CoU) has been postponed following allegations of a question leak. The department’s acting head, Mahmudul Hasan, confirmed the decision on Wednesday.
The allegations surfaced on Tuesday night when an anonymous email was sent to multiple university officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Treasurer, Proctor, Exam Controller’s Office, and several campus journalists. The email claimed that all course exam questions for the 15th batch had been leaked and specifically accused Assistant Professor Kazi M. Anisul Islam of providing the leaked materials to a female student. Attached to the email were PDF files containing answers to previous exam questions, with metadata revealing timestamps and details about the device used to create them.
Efforts to reach Kazi M. Anisul Islam for comments remained unsuccessful. Mahmudul Hasan, acting head of the department, stated, “We have decided to postpone the exam due to the situation. However, since the allegation came from an anonymous email, we cannot take direct action unless the students submit a formal written complaint.”
Jakia Jahan Mukta, a lecturer and chair of the exam committee for the 2020-21 session, acknowledged the allegations and assured that an investigation is underway. “We will discuss the matter with the administration. Whether the claim is baseless or true will be determined after the investigation,” she added. She further explained that, given the seriousness of the allegations, faculty members unanimously decided to suspend the scheduled exams temporarily.
Official Statement from the University
Acting Exam Controller Mohammad Nurul Karim Chowdhury confirmed that his office had received the email and spoken with the department chair. “The department’s academic committee will first examine the matter, and a decision will be made following an investigation,” he said.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Masuda Kamal noted that no formal written complaint had been received yet. “If the department or students submit a written allegation, we will take the necessary action accordingly,” she stated.
The postponement of the exam has created unrest among students, with many demanding a fair and transparent investigation to ensure the integrity of their academic assessments. The university administration is expected to issue a formal update once the investigation progresses.
