NSTU Correspondent:
A recent appointment in the Department of Law at Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) has sparked controversy, with questions being raised over the academic qualifications, previous experience and compliance with recruitment regulations for the position.
On June 29, the university’s 66th Regent Board meeting approved the appointment of Dr Md Shofiullah as an associate professor in the Department of Law. He previously served as an assistant professor at Daffodil International University.
According to NSTU records, Dr Shofiullah passed Dakhil in 1998 and HSC in 2001. He completed his LLB from Islamic University, Kushtia in 2007 with 56.60% marks, followed by an LLM in 2009 with a CGPA of 3.58. On March 9, 2025, he earned a PhD from Rajshahi University. He has approximately 15 years of teaching experience at Daffodil International University, including 4 years and 3 months as a lecturer, 5 years and 1 month as a senior lecturer, and 5 years and 4 months as an assistant professor.
Appointment under scrutiny
Critics have pointed out that a portion of Dr Shofiullah’s experience as a “senior lecturer” was counted as assistant professorship, allegedly violating University Grants Commission (UGC) recruitment policy. However, the NSTU administration maintains that the recruitment was conducted in full compliance with both internal policies and UGC guidelines.
University authorities stated that Daffodil International University, being ranked within the top 1,000 in the Times Higher Education global rankings, qualifies as a recognized institution. Therefore, his teaching experience at that university was fully accepted under current UGC norms.
Questions over academic requirements
According to UGC policy, applicants for associate professor and professor positions must have a GPA of 4.00 in both SSC and HSC (out of 5.00) and a CGPA of 3.50 in both bachelor’s and master’s degrees (out of 4.00). However, NSTU allowed candidates educated under the traditional percentage system to qualify with a minimum of 55% marks, arguing that UGC policy permits leniency in one academic stage if the candidate holds a PhD.
The appointment notice for the position was also revised multiple times, prompting concerns about transparency. NSTU officials clarified that the revisions were applicable to all candidates and not intended to favor any individual.
Experts weigh in
Dr Md EkramulHaque, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law at Dhaka University, told The Daily Star, “Although ‘senior lecturer’ is not a formal designation in public universities, it is a common title in private universities. These positions often entail responsibilities similar to those of assistant professors, especially when the institution is internationally recognized.”
Echoing similar views, Dr Md Sazzad Hossain Babu, a lawyer at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, said, “In many internationally reputed private universities, senior lecturers perform duties equivalent to those of assistant professors. If their experience is from a university ranked within the global top 1,000, it is reasonable and justified to accept that experience fully.”
Administration defends recruitment
NSTU’s acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Muhammad RezuanulHaque, said the appointment followed all applicable rules. “A vested group is trying to tarnish the university’s reputation by creating unnecessary controversy,” he added.
He further stated that candidates holding a PhD are eligible for relaxation in one academic result, which was clearly mentioned under Clause 25 of the recruitment notice. Similar recruitment flexibility is also observed in other public universities such as the University of Chittagong, Barisal University, and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
Regarding the equivalence of senior lecturer and assistant professor roles, the acting VC referred to Clause 5 of the UGC’s 2021 teacher recruitment and promotion guidelines for public universities. According to the policy, direct recruitment to associate professor requires 12 years of teaching experience, including at least 7 years as an assistant professor. However, for PhD holders, the requirement is reduced to 7 years total, including 4 years as assistant professor.
As Dr Shofiullah has served over 5 years as an assistant professor, the university argues that the appointment meets all criteria and that the debate over his earlier senior lecturer designation is unfounded.
