Photo : BSS

ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY, Kushtia, Oct 6, 2025 (BSS) - Lack of adequate teachers has severely hampered usual academic activities of Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia, with the crisis escalated especially after the introduction of the semester system.
 
The IU couldn't even meet half of the number of teachers required to run academic activities. Consequently, students are deprived of quality education, leading to session jams and other academic and administrative complications. 

Moreover, many departments have hired guest teachers to continue classes and examinations.

Many a number of department chairmen alleged lack of goodwill of the university administration to recruit new teachers. 

On the other hand, the administration issued a recruitment circular for 59 posts but was suspended as the University Grants Commission (UGC) did not approve the required funds.

IU sources said the university requires 1080 teachers under 36 departments whereas it currently has only 405.

14 of the departments are in dearth of teachers. There are only two teachers at Communication and Multimedia Journalism and Physical Education and Sports Science each, three at Development Studies, four each at Social Welfare, Law and Land Management, Folklore Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Human Resource Management and Geography and Environment, five each at Fine Arts, Political Science, Marketing, Tourism and Hospitality Management, and six teachers at Pharmacy department. 

Each department reportedly manages almost six to seven batches currently, placing extra pressure on the available teachers. In addition to the shortage of faculties, there is a deficit of senior teachers like professors. 14 departments are operating without professors and 12 departments without PhD-holder teachers. Moreover, 34 teachers are currently on study leave. This situation has disrupted the teacher-student ratio in line with the international standards.

Talking about the matter, the Registrar's office shared that without prior financial approval from the UGC, a notification for the recruitment of teachers against a total of 59 posts under 21 departments was issued from January 20 to February 18. Although candidates applied to various departments as per the notification, the recruitment process was later put on hold. However, on August 3, the UGC granted financial approval for only six of the posts, considering the teacher shortage.

Professor Dr. Nazim Uddin, Director of the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), said in many departments, just two or three faculties are teaching multiple courses. This goes against the UGC's class load policy. While 1,080 teachers are needed to meet the minimum accreditation requirements for the university's 36 departments, only 405 teachers are currently available.

Treasurer Professor Dr. Jahangir Alam said, "The recruitment notice was issued with the expectation of receiving approval from the UGC. However, later, funding approval was granted for only six positions." 

"Recruiting enough faculties is crucial to maintain academic activities. The university administration is actively working to obtain UGC's approval for funds in this regard," he added.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Fayez said, "The vacancy will be fulfilled in all public universities across the country. We will have a meeting in a few days, and we will do as much as we can for Islamic University and all other universities. A team is working on this matter."