JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY: Jahangirnagar University (JU) Economics Department Professor M Shawkat Ali has been continuing two permanent jobs allegedly by hiding information.

He has also been serving as an associate professor and head of the Department of Economics at American International University, Bangladesh (AIUB) since January 1, 2006.

According to the AIUB website, professor M Shawkat Ali is a former associate professor of JU and an associate professor and head of Economics Department in their university.

Enquiries revealed that M Shawkat Ali is still a permanent economics professor in JU. But he took a year study leave from August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017. A month ago, he rejoined the university, however, left again within a short period of time.

JU professors remarked that as per administrative permission the public university professors can take class in private universities as part time teacher in exceeded time of their class schedule. But performing as part time teacher within the study leave period is against the law.

Seeking anonymity, one of the students of JU Economics Department said M Shawkat Ali is irregular in class and he comes to the department 2 or 3 days in a week and takes class by his own routine. He takes 10-15 classes altogether in a whole course and same for the tutorials.

M Shawkat Ali told Banglanews, “I work at AIUB as an advisor, not a teacher. I also took an education leave from JU from August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017.”

“I am working at AIUB from January 1, 2006,” he added.

When asked about this matter, Professor Dr. Tajul Islam, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of AIUB, told Banglanews, “I do not know much about it as I work in academic sectors. It is a matter of Human Resource Department”.

JU Economics Department chairman M Amzad Hossain is completely unaware of this matter.

“Shawkat Ali applied for education leave, that is what I knew so far,” he told Banglanews.

JU vice-chancellor Professor Farzana Islam said actions would be taken against the professor if any evidence could be found.

BDST: 1627 HRS, OCT 18, 2016
AP/BD/RR/SMS