The interim government is grappling with significant difficulties in resuming academic activities at more than 40 public universities across Bangladesh, Planning and Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud said on Monday.

“Out of 55 public universities in Bangladesh, the top-level officials at more than 40 are currently untraceable,” he said during a press briefing following a meeting with Planning Ministry officials at the NEC Conference room.

The adviser emphasized the severe challenges the interim government faces in managing these institutions. “This is a major issue; these universities are effectively without leadership right now,” he noted.

He further expressed concern that officials from the first to the fourth tier at these universities have also disappeared. “We are left wondering who will run these educational institutions,” he said, clearly frustrated by the situation.