The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

The education ministry yesterday received the letter of Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz who sought to be relieved on Sunday, a top official said.

Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid acknowledged the letter reaching his ministry and told bdnews24.com a decision would be made soon.

A senior ministry official seeking anonymity said a new vice-chancellor could be appointed in a couple of days after relieving Prof Faiz of his duties.

The deputy secretary in charge of universities, Rois Uddin earlier told bdnews24.com, "I got the resignation letter when I got to the office in the morning [Monday].

"I faxed the letter and hand-couriered it to the education secretary," Prof Faiz, who is temporarily in charge after his contract ended a few months ago, told bdnews24.com at 10pm on Sunday:

He told reporters he wanted to be relieved of the top office of the country's premier public university "to uphold decency and the dignity of the office".

"I will continue to do my job until authorities decide on the letter," he had said.

Earlier in the day, his personal officer Siddiqur Rahman said, "Vice chancellor SMA Faiz on Sunday afternoon sent a letter to the education secretary at 5pm asking to be relieved."

The resignation letter will take effect after president Iajuddin Ahmed, the DU chancellor, approves it.

Prof Faiz took over in Sept. 2002 during the BNP-led coalition government's rule.