The University Grants Commission Chairman Professor SMA Faiz has assured that all vacant teaching positions in public universities across the country will be filled as quickly as possible.

He made the remarks while delivering the keynote speech at the first day of the two-day fresher orientation programme for the 2024-2025 academic session held at Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium of Islamic University in Kushtia on Saturday.

'Universities are facing severe teacher shortages. We will hold a meeting in the coming days and make every effort to approve the vacant positions. I will do everything possible for Islamic University and other universities. A dedicated team is already working on this plan, he said.

Presided over by the university vice-chancellor, Professor Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah, IU pro-vice-chancellor Professor M Yeaqub Ali and treasurer Professor M Jahangir Alam were present here as the special guests.

IU Arabic Language and Literature department Professor M Rafiqul Islam and Social Welfare department lecturer M Habibur Rahman jointly conducted the event while the event convener and Social Sciences faculty dean Professor Begum Roksana Mili delivered welcome speech.

Addressing the freshmen, Dr. Faiz recalled, 'In 2012, two students of Islamic University went missing. That reflected the political reality of the past sixteen years. We could not liberate the country, but the students of today have taken on that responsibility. I am grateful to you all for your courage in defending our freedom.'

Among others, IU acting registrar Professor M Manjurul Haque, Law faculty dean Professor Khandakar Tauhidul Alam, Biological Sciences faculty dean Professor Babli Sabina Azhar, student adviser Professor Obaidul Islam, and proctor Professor Shahinuzzaman were present on the occasion.

Later, a cultural function participated by teachers and students of different departments of the university was held there.