A widespread controversy is razing for the last several days because a record number of 52 students of the Department of Political Science of Dhaka University (DU) secured first class in the Masters of Social Science (MSS) examination, 2002 (held in 2004). Never in the history of DU such a huge number of students from this department get the first class. DU authorities are trying to hush up the controversies with a partial investigation. The DU authorities February 28 formed a seven-member committee to investigate the incident. DU Pro-VC AFM Yusuf Haider is the head of the committee while the other members are Prof Tazmeri SA Islam, Dhaka Medical College Principal Dr Hosne Ara Tahmin, Prof Sadeka Halim, Prof Rafiqul Islam, Prof Rahmatullah and DU Examination Controller Md Abdul Latif. The committee has been asked to submit its report within next 10 working days. Some teachers of the department alleged that the question papers were leaked out before the examinations were held and some students, who had close relationship with chairman of the examination committee, got the questions. Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) expressed dissatisfaction over the appointment of Pro VC as the convener of the investigation committee. "I think the Pro VC should not be included in the probe committee as he signed the tabulation sheets. That mean he had already taken a stand on the issue", said Prof Sharifullah Bhuyian, President of DUTA. DUTA General Secretary Prof M Akhtarzzaman said, "To ensure transparency and accountability of the administration, the authorities should conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, otherwise students and guardians will lose confidence in the university administration." According to the terms of reference of the probe committee, it will investigate only the faults in the tabulation sheets but will not investigate the allegations that the question papers were not kept in the strong room of the controller of examinationsbefore the examinations, that there was a possible leakage of those question papers and possible irregularities in evaluating the examination papers. The VC said if any one comes with proper evidence of question paper leakage and other matters those must be investigated.
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