Zakir Hossin, Pirojpur: Professor Dr. Mohammad Sabirul Islam Hawlader has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Pirojpur Science and Technology University (PBPU) for a four-year term.

The appointment was announced through an official gazette issued on Monday (June 8) by the Science and Technology University Branch of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under Bangladesh`s Ministry of Education.

According to the notification, signed by Assistant Secretary Md. Shah Alam Siraj, the appointment was made with the approval of the President of Bangladesh, who also serves as the Chancellor of the university, under Section 10(1) of the Pirojpur Science and Technology University Act, 2022.

The gazette states that Dr. Sabirul Islam`s tenure will be four years from the date of joining or until his retirement, whichever comes first. He will receive the salary and benefits equivalent to his current position, along with other allowances as prescribed by the relevant regulations. As the university`s chief executive officer, he is also required to reside on campus on a full-time basis.

The notification further notes that the President, in his capacity as Chancellor, reserves the authority to revoke the appointment at any time if deemed necessary.

Dr. Sabirul Islam earned both his Bachelor`s and Master`s degrees in Arabic from the University of Dhaka before completing his PhD at the University of Rajshahi. Throughout his academic career, he served as a professor in the Department of Arabic at the University of Rajshahi and also held the position of department chairman.

His appointment has generated discussion within academic circles, as science and technology universities in Bangladesh have traditionally appointed vice-chancellors with backgrounds in science or engineering. However, the Pirojpur Science and Technology University Act, 2022 does not require the Vice-Chancellor to be a specialist in science. Instead, it specifies that the appointee should be a distinguished academic.

Stakeholders have expressed hope that under Dr. Sabirul Islam`s leadership, the newly established Pirojpur Science and Technology University will make significant progress in academic excellence, research, and infrastructure development.