Prof Shireen Akhter of Bengali language and literature department was appointed as acting vice chancellor (VC) of Chittagong University yesterday.

In this regard, the education ministry issued a gazette notification yesterday, which said she will discharge the routine duty of the VC until the new VC is appointed.

Prof Shireen, who has been serving as pro-VC of CU  since May 28, 2016, will take charge as the acting VC on June 16.

Born in Cox’s Bazar on May 1, 1956, Shireen completed her SSC in 1973 from Cox’s Bazar Govt Girls College and HSC in 1975 from Chittagong Girls College. She obtained her BA and MA degrees in Bengali Language and Literature from CU in 1976 and 1981 respectively.

She joined the CU as a lecturer of the department in 1996 after completing her PhD from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

On her appointment, Prof Shireen told The Daily Star that she would try to develop the university as a “source of knowledge” in accordance with the spirit of the Liberation War.