Campus Desk

The authorities of Islamic University in Kushtia on Saturday suspended one of its teachers from the university temporarily after 22 female students lodged a joint complaint accusing him of repeated sexual harassment.

The accused, Azizul Islam, is an associate professor of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering department of the university.

A press release, signed by IU acting registrar Professor Dr M Manjurul Haque, was issued in this regard in the afternoon.

According to the press release, Azizul Islam had been engaging in inappropriate behaviour and making illicit proposals to the victims over several academic years. He made sexually suggestive remarks, left obscene messages and even made a video call to one of them via Imo, threatening to give poor marks if she did not respond.

Feeling cornered, the students united and lodged the complaint with the department head, Professor Dr AKM Nazmul Huda, shortly after the university reopened following the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.

Later, they also lodged a written complaint with the university administration seeking punishment of the teacher.

The allegations, after being reported in various national and local media outlets as well as on social media platforms, have damaged the university’s image. In light of this, the university administration decided to suspend him temporarily, effective from July 5.

During the suspension period, he will be entitled to a subsistence allowance as per university regulations, the release said.

The university authorities, however, formed a four-member probe body, led by IU Al-Fiqh and Legal Studies department Professor Muhammad Nazimuddin, to investigate the incident.

Public Administration department Professor M Fakhrul Islam, Bangla department Professor Arifa Akter and Law department Professor Maksuda Akter were the members of the probe body.

The probe body was asked to submit its report within 20 working days, the release added.

IU acting registrar M Manjurul Haque said that vice-chancellor Professor Nakib Mohammad Nasrullah issued the suspension order against the teacher.

Further action would be taken after getting reports from the investigation committee, he added.

Earlier, the Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering department, in a meeting, suspended Azizul Islam and barred him from all academic activities until further notice.

This incident follows a similar case earlier this year.

On May 31, the university’s 268th syndicate meeting expelled Hafizul Islam, a teacher of the Development Studies department, after multiple allegations including sexual harassment, homosexual misconduct, and student abuse were found to be true.