Unveiling information, Let’s read, What National University Dean says?

The High Court has cancelled the affiliation of SB Science and Technology College of Bogura with National University: EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Professor Dr Nasirduddin Mitul, Dean, National University, unveiling information, Let’s read, what Dean says?

The interview was conducted by Prodip Roy, Editor-TLT

Professor Dr Md. Nasiruddin Mitul, the Program Coordinator, On Campus Post Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Science and Dean, Schools of Undergraduate Studios, National University of Bangladesh

The High Court has cancelled the affiliation of SB Science and Technology College of Bogura for the admission of students in the Department of Library and Information Sciences Diploma Course under the National University. The High Court has given the verdict on the settlement of the writ on Wednesday, 13 February 2019. At the same time, the students who were admitted to the institute cannot take the exam, according to the order of the High Court.

Professor Dr Md. Nasiruddin Mitul, the Program Coordinator, On Campus Post Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Science and Dean, Schools of Undergraduate Studies, National University of Bangladesh, told The Librarian Times’s Editor in an exclusive online interview on Tuesday evening that the activities of SB Science and Technology College in Bogura were all illegal. That is why the court cancelled its affiliation with the National University. At the same time, the students of the institute will not be able to participate in the examination.

Examination 2016-2017: Let’s see what history says?

As per the announcement, the examination was to be held in the library and the Information Science Diploma Course on February 25, 2017. But in the case of writ petition of SB Science and Technology College of Bogura, the examinations were suspended.

In the context of one question, Dr Mitul said that SB Science and Technology College had approved the admission of 250 students for the Diploma Course in Library and Information Sciences. But the institution authorities show 500 students’ admission. According to the rules, students should be admitted online. But that institution has not admitted any student online. Apart from this, the examination form has not been filled. Under the circumstances, Dean, Post-Graduate of the university postponed the exam of the library and the Information Science Diploma Course on 25 February 2017.

The second-semester examination of diploma course was postponed

In response to the petition filed by Principal Md. Nurul Islam, Bogura’s SB Science and Technology College’s and a few students, the court gave the order. Justice FRM Nazmul Ahsan and the Justice the High Court bench comprising Iqbal Kabir gave the order on Monday 23 April 2018.

Advocate Sheikh Sirajul Islam was the lawyer on behalf of the petitioner. Barrister Shamim Aziz was on behalf of the National University and deputy attorney general of Nusrat Jahan for the state.

Despite the approval of the college, in 2017, the university closed the online code. When the appeal was filed against the university, the court directs the candidates to get the opportunity to participate in the examinations with their registration papers and entrance exams.

After this directive, the National University authorities gave assurance to give 250 students of the college a chance to get the test. According to the schedule, this course was supposed to start from April 24, 2018. But the registration and the exam opportunity were given to some the other colleges of the country not given to 250 students of the Bogura’s SB Science and Technology College. That is why the petition was moved to the High Court’s notice. The application was asked to give an opportunity to participate in the examination.

Post suspended Diploma 1st and 2nd-semester examinations started from Sunday 17 February 2019

The suspended library and information science diploma 1st and second-semester examinations started from 17 February 2019. After receiving the court order National University declared the new date of the examination.

Professor Dr Nasirduddin Mitul with Professor Dr Nasiruddin Munsi inspect SB Science and Technology College of Bogura

Professor Dr Mitul along with Professor Dr Nasiruddin Munsi, Dept. of Information Science & Library Management, Dhaka University inspected SB Science and Technology College of Bogura in 2017. They noticed that there were SB (Seven Brothers) Science and Technology College, Bogura T.H. BP College, Shaheed Monayem Hossain Baid College, Fine Arts Diploma Institute, Nurul Islam-Aklima Paramedical College, CSC Computer Science and Engineering College, Academic and Professional Institute (AP), Medical Assistant with the training school (mats) and Nurul Islam is the owner of all the institutions. The institute sales certificates against taking a huge amount of money from the students.

In response to The Librarian Times’s Editor, National University Dean Dr Mitul said, the case was filed three years ago in order to cancel the affiliation of the institution due to non-compliance.

Many of the admired students are working as a librarian in different schools. Many of them entered the job with a certificate of a private university. But the government declared that the certificate was cancelled. Many students are concerned as their job is now threatened due to non-certification of the National University. In response to another question, Dr Mitul also said that the institution has caused harassment of the students of the whole country by the law.

“All the claims are completely fictional and perfectly fabricated”-Dr Mitul

Many of LIS professional’s perceptions that you might be involved in this kind of work in supporting affiliation of National University and all these types of institutions in exchange for money. What is your comment on this?

“All the claims are completely fictional and perfectly fabricated. The inferior mentality professionals of the class want to lose my social and professional status in this society.”

Some professionals bad element exists in the academic atmosphere whose prime objective is to earn business. I am working against this directed by the Vice-chancellor of the National University. Also, misguided by the so-called professionals, using social media some people write against NU which is very unfortunate. The National University and I are determined to take legal action against all these types of institutions where the certificate is only their business in relation to maintaining the quality of education in the country.” Dr Mitul Mentioned.

In response to other question about the role of Library Association Bangladesh (LAB) against LIS education business in the country, Dr Mitul said that LAB was inactive against such kind of education businessmen. “As the professional Association in Bangladesh LAB could at least arrange one procession or rally against the culprit. But it’s very unfortunate that LAB leaders are far from the right information and always believe whisperings and speculation.”

Dr Mitul with (From the left) Dr Harun-Or-Roshid, Vice-chancellor, National University and Dr Dipu Moni, Minister, Education

In response to The Librarian Times’s Editor, National University Dean Dr Mitul said, “Nothing can stop us and our mission towards the development of the library profession in Bangladesh. Once people used to treat the LIS profession as “marginalised”, “submissive” profession etc. But we have already proved our strengths in both academic and social endeavour. So, it’s now mainstreaming profession. I am requesting all my micro and macro job holders in our profession to be patient and maintain a modesty with knowledge on his/her job centre. So that people perceptions of this profession would be changed.”

He ensured to the Librarian Times’s Editor to build and increase the collaboration in developing the LIS education and profession as a whole between these two.