Dhaka University has appointed a man on a daily wage basis as an assistant photographer in its public relations office, facing allegations that the recruit is a personal confidant of Vice-Chancellor (VC) ABM Obaidul Islam.

University teachers and officials say the office has no sanctioned post for an "assistant photographer", nor has any such position been created.

They added that while DU guidelines strictly prohibit recruiting staff below Secondary School Certificate (SSC) qualifications, the appointee holds only an eighth-grade education.

The recruit, Mayor Talukder, hails from Morrelganj in Bagerhat, the home district of the VC.

Initially appointed on Apr 29 as a part-time assistant photographer, his contract was amended on Jun 10 to a "no work, no pay" basis at Tk 500 daily, with terms stipulating he must assist VC Obaidul round the clock.

Local BNP activists in Morrelganj said Prof ABM Obaidul became involved in local politics from 2020, and Talukder has worked as his associate since then.

When Obaidul was later appointed VC of the Open University during the interim government's tenure, Talukder remained his constant companion there too.

Attempts to reach Mayor Talukder by phone were unsuccessful.

Questions Over Recruitment

Several university officials say no one can be appointed to a non-existent post without first creating it through the University Grants Commission (UGC) or under the university's own rules.

A former registrar said any new post would have to be approved by the ministry or the UGC.

In urgent cases, the relevant office could seek approval through the university syndicate before such a post was created.

A former pro-VC said one post could sometimes be converted into another on a needs basis, but only with syndicate approval.

A syndicate member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said appointments could not be made without an approved post or a syndicate decision.

"There is no provision for this. Besides, assistant photographer is not an essential post. The university already has several photographers. If the vice-chancellor needs one, he can assign one from the existing staff."

Registrar Munshi Shams Uddin Ahmed said the VC, under the Dhaka University Order, 1973, could appoint anyone to the master roll using his executive authority.

Asked about the appointee's educational qualifications, the registrar said Talukder had passed class 8.

Responding to a question on whether someone with that qualification could be appointed as an assistant photographer, he said educational qualifications were not considered for master-roll appointments.

Another syndicate member told bdnews24.com that the university had a clear syndicate directive requiring SSC qualifications for fourth-class employees, adding that any appointment below that level would be outside the rules.

The UGC has for several years urged public universities to stop making daily wage appointments.

Despite that, such recruitment continues at Dhaka University and other institutions.

The university normally advertises staff vacancies. In this case, no advertisement was published.

Asked about that, the registrar said no advertisement had been issued because the VC could appoint anyone to the master roll without one.

An administrative official disagreed, saying master-roll appointments also required advertisements, although internal notices could be issued in urgent cases.

VC Defends Decision

Asked about the appointment, Prof Obaidul said: "I asked for the appointment of a photographer's assistant, not an assistant photographer."

When told the appointment letter described the post as assistant photographer, he replied that it might have been an error and that his office had neither properly informed him nor explained the rules.

On the appointee's qualifications, the VC said the university had three cameramen, two of whom usually worked outside campus, leaving only one available on campus.

"When I attend programmes, it is often not possible to take someone along. When I need someone urgently, no one is available. So I appointed him on a daily basis.

“If there has been any breach of the rules, I will speak to the registrar's office and take action."

Prof Obaidul acknowledged that Talukder had also accompanied him while he served as VC of Bangladesh Open University.

Asked why he had recruited someone from his home area, he said: "I have seen his skills. Why shouldn't someone from Morrelganj get a job? I appointed him because he is good with a camera."

When told Talukder usually took photographs with a mobile phone rather than a camera, he replied: "Not everyone can take good photographs. The quality of his pictures is good."

Asked further, the VC said: "I will speak to the registrar's office. If there's no rule allowing this, I will cancel the appointment. I will not do anything outside the rules."