21/05/2026
North South University (NSU) has been thrown into turmoil after serious allegations surfaced against a member of its Board of Trustees, Mohammad Shahjahan. The accusations have created an atmosphere of instability at one of the countryโs leading private universities.
Following a complaint submitted to the University Grants Commission (UGC), Shahjahan was asked to stay away from the campus and refrain from taking part in any university activities until the investigation is completed. He is also accused of threatening fellow board members, including the chairman.
According to sources, a guardian filed a written complaint with the UGC alleging that Shahjahan was involved in unethical conduct, including offering job benefits, promotions, and financial assistance in exchange for improper relationships, as well as irregularities in admissions.
After receiving the complaint, the UGC on 14 May instructed NSU authorities to investigate the matter and take necessary action.
In response to the UGC directive, the Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting on 18 May. All board members were present except Shahjahan.
The meeting decided to issue a show-cause notice to Shahjahan. The notice said that, given the seriousness of the allegations, he must temporarily avoid entering the campus, attending meetings, or participating in any university activity until the investigation is completed.
He has also been asked to submit a written explanation at the next board meeting, scheduled for 4 June at Banani Club. The notice said that if he fails to respond within the given time, the university will begin procedures to remove him from the trust and the Board of Trustees under the relevant provisions.
The notice includes several serious allegations against Shahjahan. These include abuse of authority in appointments, promotions, and financial benefits; unethical behavior and sexual harassment involving female students, teachers, and staff; admission irregularities linked to financial transactions; influence in development projects; nepotism; and financial misconduct.
It also warned that if the allegations are proven, they could seriously damage the universityโs reputation and interests.
Several students and guardians said the allegations of Shahjahan attempting to form unethical relationships with female staff and students by offering financial incentives have sparked widespread criticism on campus. There were also reports of an unpleasant incident involving a female staff member. Screenshots of alleged unethical messages exchanged between Shahjahan and several female staff members and students are reportedly circulating among various government agencies.
Shahjahan denied the allegations, saying the screenshots should be examined through forensic analysis. He claimed the images were fabricated through photo manipulation.
Internal sources say Shahjahan has long been at the center of discussions over irregularities, nepotism, and other allegations involving women at NSU.
He is also accused of forging documents from the Prime Ministerโs Office in connection with the appointment of the university treasurer. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Prime Ministerโs Office reportedly filed separate cases over that incident. Shahjahan was also jailed in an ACC case involving allegations of embezzlement in the purchase of university land, along with other trustees.
According to the case statement, in 2020 the Ministry of Education sent a summary to the Prime Ministerโs Office recommending three names for the post of treasurer at NSU.
The then prime minister reportedly marked Professor Enamul Haqueโs name with a tick. Later, a PMO office assistant named Fatema Begum handed the document to a student leader, Tarikul Islam, also known as Momin. The document was then allegedly altered by changing the prime ministerโs tick beside Enamul Haqueโs name into a cross and placing a tick beside Abdus Salam Azadโs name. The forgery was later detected at the presidentโs office, and the Ministry of Education subsequently cancelled the appointment order.
Sources said Tarikul Islam, a former vice president of the Bangladesh Chhatra Leagueโs central committee and a former NSU student, was involved in the forgery case. He is known as a close associate of Shahjahan and spent a long time in jail in connection with the case. The incident was reported in the media at the time.
Asked about the earlier allegations and the recent UGC letter, Shahjahan denied the accusations and questioned whether the UGC could accept such complaints and issue such directives.
โThe Commission said to investigate and resolve the matter. But they instructed me to stay away from the campus and university activities. This is illegal and hostile,โ he said.
He also claimed that from July he is supposed to become chairman of the Board of Trustees and that these actions are being taken deliberately to prevent that from happening. He said he had sent a legal notice to the board and would respond to all allegations.
Current Board of Trustees chairman Aziz Al Kaisar told Prothom Alo that the issue of whether Shahjahan becomes chairman is separate. He said the board has not taken any punitive action against Shahjahan and has only issued a show-cause notice in response to the regulatory authorityโs letter.
โThe UGC asked us to investigate the allegations and take necessary action as quickly as possible. The Board of Trustees unanimously decided to issue a show-cause notice seeking an explanation,โ he said.
He added that Shahjahan has allegedly been issuing threats by phone and message since receiving the notice.
North South University, which began in 1992 with 137 students, now has more than 25,000 students and operates from its own large campus after starting in a rented building in Banani. The university has also earned a place in international rankings.
However, according to those familiar with the institution, its growth has also been accompanied by administrative irregularities, corruption and struggles over control.
NSU Admission Test and SAT Style Reading and Writing Questions
Question 1: Central Idea
Which choice best states the central idea of the passage?
A. North South University has expanded rapidly despite financial difficulties.
B. Serious allegations against a trustee have triggered investigations and internal conflict at NSU.
C. The University Grants Commission plans to take direct control of NSU.
D. Students at NSU are demanding changes to the university curriculum.
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Vocabulary in Context
As used in the passage, the word โsubstantiatingโ most nearly means:
A. hiding
B. denying
C. proving
D. questioning
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: Supporting Evidence
Which detail from the passage best supports the claim that the university treated the allegations seriously?
A. NSU began with only 137 students in 1992.
B. Shahjahan denied all allegations and claimed the screenshots were manipulated.
C. The Board of Trustees instructed Shahjahan to refrain from campus activities until the investigation is completed.
D. The university secured a place in international rankings.
Correct Answer: C
Question 4: Inference
What can reasonably be inferred about the relationship between Shahjahan and the Board of Trustees?
A. The board fully supports Shahjahanโs leadership ambitions.
B. The board believes the allegations have already been proven in court.
C. Tensions exist between Shahjahan and other board members.
D. The board intends to dissolve the university administration.
Correct Answer: C
Question 5: Authorโs Purpose
Why does the author include information about previous allegations and legal cases involving Shahjahan?
A. To explain why NSU was founded
B. To provide historical context surrounding concerns about his conduct
C. To argue that Shahjahan is guilty of all accusations
D. To compare NSU with other universities
Correct Answer: B
Question 6: Text Structure
How is the passage mainly organized?
A. By comparing two universities
B. By presenting a problem, responses to it1 and background information
C. By listing the achievements of NSU in chronological order
D. By describing a legal trial step by step
Correct Answer: B
Question 7: Command of Evidence
Which quotation best supports the idea that Shahjahan believes the investigation is politically motivated?
A. โThe Commission said to investigate and resolve the matter.โ
B. โThis is illegal and hostile.โ
C. โI have sent a legal notice to the Board of Trustees.โ
D. โThese actions are being taken intentionally so that I cannot become chairman.โ
Correct Answer: D
Question 8: Tone
The overall tone of the passage is best described as:
A. humorous and informal
B. emotional and celebratory
C. formal and investigative
D. persuasive and inspirational
Correct Answer: C
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