The Federation of Bangladesh University Teacher's Association (FBUTA) yesterday condemned and rejected a recent TIB report on recruitment of lecturers at public universities, terming it “biased” and “conspiratorial”.

A statement signed by FBUTA President Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed and Secretary General Prof Maksud Kamal said the report aimed to humiliate public university teachers and the education system instead of questioning whether teacher recruitment was transparent.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) released the report, “Recruitment of Lecturers in Public Universities: Governance Challenges and Ways Forward”, on Sunday.

It revealed that unauthorised financial transactions, political leanings and nepotism are key catalysts in recruitment of lecturers at some public universities, leading to irregularities and corruption.

“We believe that as a part of the society, universities are influenced by society's irregularities and corruption,” said the FBUTA statement.

It said vested quarters/persons might be guilty and it was not appropriate to judge all universities guilty.

“TIB should reveal the names of the guilty,” Prof Farid told The Daily Star. Prof Maksud urged TIB to give specific recommendations to the education ministry and University Grants Commission to take necessary steps.

They also alleged that TIB had not held discussions with teachers' representatives and university administrations while collecting information.