Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 22nd February 2026, 6:19 PM
In a significant development for Bangladesh’s premier educational institution, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan has formally tendered his resignation from the position of Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Dhaka University (DU). The decision comes a mere five days after a new government assumed office, signalling a transition in the university’s leadership following a period of intense national political flux.
On the morning of Sunday, 22 February 2026, Professor Khan met with the Education Minister, Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Haq Milan, to submit his resignation. According to a press release issued by Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, the Director of the University’s Public Relations Office, the outgoing VC expressed his desire to relinquish his administrative duties and return to his primary role as a Grade-1 Professor in the Department of Development Studies.
During the meeting, the Education Minister engaged in a comprehensive dialogue with Professor Khan regarding the current challenges and future prospects of the university. Dr. Milan reportedly lauded the Professor’s stewardship during a tumultuous “transitional period” in the nation’s history, presenting him with a floral bouquet as a token of appreciation for his contributions to campus stability and academic research.
Professor Khan’s appointment on 27 August 2024 followed the monumental political shifts of that year. Throughout his brief but impactful tenure, he focused on restoring the academic calendar and enhancing campus security.
Interestingly, Professor Khan had already hinted at his departure. During a press conference on 10 February, just two days prior to the national elections, he stated:
“I feel we have reached a positive milestone in this phase of responsibility, and I wish to step down.”
While he offered to remain in the post temporarily to ensure institutional continuity if requested by the government, his formal resignation today confirms his intent to return to his roots in academia and international consultancy.
Professor Khan’s career is distinguished by a blend of rigorous scholarship and high-level consultancy for global organisations.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic Background | University of Chittagong (BA, MA); University of Wales, Swansea (PhD) |
| Post-Doctoral Research | Oxford University; University of Wales; Asian Institute of Technology |
| Primary Department | Development Studies, Dhaka University |
| Previous Roles | Pro Vice-Chancellor (IUB); Chairman, Dept. of Development Studies |
| Consultancy | UN, World Bank, USAID, ADB, UNDP |
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the resignation has been forwarded to the Chancellor of the University, His Excellency the President of Bangladesh. Under the university’s statutes, the President holds the ultimate authority to accept the resignation and appoint a successor. In the interim, the university community awaits the announcement of a new Vice-Chancellor to steer the institution through its next chapter.
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