A professor from the Department of Music, Dr Ahmed Shakil Hasmi, has been appointed dean of the Faculty of Law at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU), prompting questions and criticism from some students.
The appointment has drawn attention because no teacher from the Department of Law and Justice currently holds the deans position in the Faculty of Law.
Associate Professor Muhammad Irfan Aziz previously served as dean of the faculty. Dr Ahmed Shakil Hasmi has now taken over the responsibility.
Students have questioned the decision, particularly given the practice of prioritising senior teachers from the relevant faculty when appointing deans. They have asked why a teacher from another department was selected to lead the Faculty of Law.
Advocate Naimur Rahmana Durjoy, a former student of the Department of Law and Justice and an advocate at the Mymensingh District and Sessions Judges Court, said the university administration had failed to appoint even a professor to a department that has been operating for 10 years.
He said the appointment should also be considered in light of university rules. According to him, if the vice-chancellor assumes the role by virtue of office, that would be different; otherwise, an associate professor from the department should have been appointed.
Durjoy said the decision had disappointed law students and could create an impression that teachers of the department were not sufficiently capable or qualified for the position, or that they had been affected by internal politics.
A student from the 2017-18 academic session, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Department of Law is now almost self-sufficient and argued that responsibilities involving policymaking and administrative decisions should remain with teachers of the Faculty of Law to protect students interests and maintain an appropriate academic environment.
The student also noted that Dr Hasmi serves as the universitys transport administrator, describing it as an important campus responsibility. Taking on the deans position in addition to teaching and transport administration, the student said, could place additional pressure on him and potentially affect the interests of law students and students who use the universitys transport services.
Another student from the 2018-19 academic session described Dr Hasmi as a student-friendly and capable teacher with commendable leadership qualities.
However, the student said legal education is distinct from many other disciplines because of its professional orientation. The dean, the student said, has an important role in students professional preparation, research and future careers, and therefore a qualified teacher from the law department would be more effective for the position.
Asked about the appointment, JKKNIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain said the rule is for a senior professor to serve as dean and, in the absence of a senior professor, an associate professor to take the position.
He said he had learned that there had been discussions among students about appointing someone from the Department of Law as dean. As a result, Dr Hasmi was appointed temporarily to avoid criticism, according to the vice-chancellor.
Professor Mosharraf also said the Department of Law and Justice had previously been under the Faculty of Arts before a separate Faculty of Law was established. He said the duties of deans are not structured in a way that requires the dean to come from a particular department.
If any problem arises, he said, the matter will be addressed through a higher-level meeting.
The vice-chancellor also described Dr Hasmi as a student-friendly and calm person.
Those concerned are now watching whether the university administration will take any further decision or make changes regarding the appointment.
