A A M S Arefin Siddique: From Popular Teacher to Politically-Influenced Administrator?

Prominent academic and media figure in Bangladesh, Professor A A M S Arefin Siddique, has passed away. The former chairman of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka and its 27th vice-chancellor was widely recognized for his long academic and administrative career. However, his administrative policies, political affiliations, and controversial decisions were subjects of debate. 

A Long Name Rooted in Family Tradition 

His full name was Abu Ahsan Md. Shamsul Arefin Siddique, though he was commonly known as A A M S Arefin Siddique. Born on October 26, 1953, at his father’s house on Green Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, his father, Abu Bakr Siddique, was an engineer, and his mother, Hosne Ara Siddique, was a homemaker. He was the eldest of seven siblings. 

His grandfather, Atosh Ali Siddique, a government official at the time, added Shamsul Arefin Siddique to the family name Siddique after his birth. When his father informed his maternal grandfather, Dr. Tajul Islam of Salimganj, Nabinagar, Brahmanbaria, via telegram, his grandfather suggested the name Abu Ahsan Siddique. Eventually, combining both grandparents’ choices, his father named him Abu Ahsan Mohammad Shamsul Arefin Siddique.   

From Dhaka College to Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka 

Due to his father’s job transfers, Arefin Siddique spent his childhood and teenage years in various places. He studied at B.L. School in Sirajganj, then at Victoria School, and later at Daulatpur Mohsin School in Khulna, where he completed his SSC in 1969. He passed his HSC from Govt. B.L. College in 1972. 

Initially enrolling in the Mathematics Department at the University of Dhaka, he later migrated to Dhaka College, where he obtained his BSc degree in 1973 (exam held in 1974). He then pursued a Master’s in Journalism at the University of Dhaka, completing his degree in 1975 (exam held in 1977, results published in 1978). 

Before joining academia, he worked as a Public Relations Officer at BUET. In 1980, he joined the University of Dhaka as a lecturer. Later, in 1982, with an Indian government scholarship, he pursued a PhD at the University of Mysore, completing it in 1986.   

From 1993 to 1996, he served as the Chairman of the Mass Communication and Journalism Department and was a member of the Board of Directors at the Press Institute of Bangladesh. Between 1997 and 2000, he chaired the Board of Directors of the Bangladesh News Agency (BSS). 

As a well-known leader of the pro-Awami League teachers’ faction, the Blue Panel, he was elected General Secretary and later President of the Teachers’ Association twice. Before becoming Vice-Chancellor, he was the Chairman of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Dhaka. 

In 2009, he was appointed the 27th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, serving until 2017. After completing his tenure, he returned to his department as a professor before retiring in 2020. In 2022, he became the Chairman of the Board of Directors at BSS, and in 2023, he was appointed President of the Bangabandhu Parishad.   

A Brilliant Academic with Controversial Administrative and Political Decisions 

Despite his brilliance as a scholar, his administrative and political decisions remained contentious. As Vice-Chancellor, his policies and actions received mixed reactions from teachers, students, and the public. 

He was criticized for expanding political influence on campus, creating divisions among faculty, and making biased administrative decisions. Allegations against him included a lack of transparency, suppression of student movements, and favoritism toward specific groups. 

While some viewed his long tenure as a sign of strong administrative leadership, others believed it resulted from political patronage, leading to ongoing debates. 

Notably, even as Vice-Chancellor, he personally taught first-year students, and his residence remained open for late-night meetings with faculty, students, and well-wishers. Many regarded him as a rare student-friendly Vice-Chancellor. 

However, his tenure was marked by both reforms and political influence. While he contributed to infrastructure development and reducing session jams, his tenure was also marred by student protests, administrative opacity, and political favoritism. As a leader of the pro-Awami League teachers’ Blue Panel, he actively promoted political interests within the university. 

Professor Arefin Siddique held key positions in education and media, such as Chairman of BSS and President of the Trustee Board of the National Museum. However, his impartiality and competence in these roles were frequently questioned. 

Whether he will be remembered as a distinguished academic or a politically-influenced administrator remains a matter of debate.