Advisor’s APS Arrives to Take Recruitment Exam in Government Vehicle

An assistant private secretary (APS) to an advisor of the interim government arrived in a government vehicle to take part in the recruitment examination for the lecturer post at Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU). His name is Ashiqur Rahman. He is employed as the APS to the Advisor of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

According to the establishment branch of NSTU, the authorities recently published a circular for the recruitment of assistant professors and lecturers in the Department of Zoology. Based on that circular, Ashiqur Rahman came to the NSTU campus on Saturday to participate in the examination. A total of 27 candidates, including Ashiqur, appeared for the written test for the two lecturer posts. After the written test, 14 candidates were called for the viva on the same day.

On that day, Ashiqur Rahman arrived on campus in a government car bearing the official logo and flag stand. After completing the examination, he returned to Dhaka in the same vehicle. Some university students took photos of the vehicle and posted them on social media. It has been confirmed that the vehicle used by Ashiqur Rahman is registered under the Office of the Assistant Chief Conservator of Forests, Agargaon, Dhaka.

When asked about appearing in the recruitment exam using a government vehicle, Ashiqur Rahman said, “I was very physically ill. I learned at 2 AM the night before that the exam was scheduled for the next day. By the time I reached Noakhali, it was 10 AM. If someone helps me in such a situation, how would you see it? I did not come here to influence recruitment or transfer decisions. As far as I know, there was a job applicant who was known to one of the teachers there. He saw my profile and got scared. That’s why this happened. I am known as a scientist both at home and abroad.”

In this regard, Mahbub Morshed, Assistant Chief Conservator of Forests (Finance, Budget & General Instruction Unit), stated that the vehicles of the department remain under the supervision of a range officer. He has instructed the officer to investigate the matter and report back. Further steps will be taken after the investigation.

Acting Registrar of the University, Muhammad Tamzid Hossain, said he was unaware of the APS of an advisor arriving for the exam using a government car. He stated that he was on leave on Saturday. The recruitment board for teacher appointments consists of the Vice-Chancellor, the department chair, and other members. It is not the board’s responsibility to check how candidates arrive. Candidates appear before the board one by one.

When asked about the policy regarding the use of government vehicles, retired Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, A.K.M. Abdul Awal Majumdar, said that he is not aware of any such written rule. However, ministers and their personal secretaries are allotted government vehicles. But traveling from Dhaka to Noakhali in a government vehicle to participate in a recruitment exam is excessive on the part of the APS.