Probe body formed over plagiarism allegations against IBA professor

Dhaka University (DU) has formed a five-member investigation committee after preliminary findings confirmed allegations of plagiarism against Prof Dr Md Ridhwanul Haq of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA).

The committee was formed on Tuesday by Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, following claims that research papers submitted by the professor during his application for promotion to full professorship contained plagiarised content.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within 30 working days.

According to the university order, the committee includes the dean of the Faculty of Law, the dean of the Faculty of Science, the university proctor, the principal of Dhaka Medical College, and a nominee of Dr Ridhwanul Haq.

University sources said the controversy over the case has persisted for a long time, with allegations that two research papers submitted in 2018 for promotion contained nearly identical content.

The issue was previously reported in national media, leading to a temporary suspension of the promotion process. However, it was later dropped amid alleged administrative influence.

Last year, the “White Panel” of university teachers submitted a memorandum to the administration, raising multiple allegations, including plagiarism. Following this, the then administration sought initial observations from the dean of the business faculty.

The dean reportedly described the allegations as serious and stated that sufficient evidence existed for further inquiry.

He suggested that either a fresh fact-finding committee could be formed in consultation with the university legal adviser or the Syndicate could directly form a new investigation body. The legal adviser later recommended that the next course of action should be taken in accordance with university rules, which led to the formation of the present probe committee.

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Separately, allegations have also been raised regarding Ridhwanul’s alleged political affiliations during the previous government, including active involvement with the “Blue Panel” faculty group and close association with influential individuals.

He has also been accused of signing a statement demanding the withdrawal of Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus’s award, along with 760 other teachers.

In addition, he reportedly served as coordinator and chief author of a “case book” published on the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Further allegations claim that he faced written complaints of harassment from five female colleagues at IBA, which were allegedly suppressed due to political influence.

He was also previously cautioned for foreign travel without university approval, although similar offences in other cases reportedly led to harsher disciplinary action, including dismissal.