JU teacher faces probe over AI-generated research, postdoc claim

Jahangirnagar University (JU) has formed a five-member probe committee to investigate allegations against an assistant professor of the Department of Environmental Sciences over extensive use of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content in a research paper and presenting a short-term work experience in Japan as postdoctoral experience.

The decision was taken at a syndicate meeting held on Sunday, a syndicate member who attended the meeting told The Daily Sun.

“The syndicate did not approve Dr Sharmin Akter Shimu’s promotion yesterday. A probe committee has been formed to examine the allegations,” the member said.

Professor Dr Nazmul Alam of the Department of Botany has been made convener of the five-member committee. The other members are Professor Dr Shariful Huda Ripon and Professor Dr Zahidur Rahman of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Deputy Registrar (Education) Syed Mohammad Ali Reza has been made member-secretary of the committee. The remaining member will be nominated by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

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The allegations surfaced at a promotion board meeting held on 3 August, where Shimu’s promotion to associate professor came under scrutiny. The matter was later brought to the attention of the university syndicate.

According to syndicate sources, Shimu published a research paper titled “Assessing Environmental Sustainability and Market Potential of Jamdani Loom Industry: A Baseline Study in Rupganj and Sonargaon Upazilas, Narayanganj District” in Volume 9 of the Jahangirnagar University Environmental Bulletin in 2024.

The paper, published on pages 77–91, was allegedly found to contain 62% AI-generated or AI-assisted content.

Prof Mohammad Jamal Uddin of the same department, Al-Shahriar Khan, an assistant consultant at EQMS Consulting Ltd, and Taslima Zaman, a research officer at Engineering Consultant and Associate Ltd, are co-authors of the paper.

Meanwhile, allegations have also been raised over Shimu’s claimed postdoctoral experience in Japan.

According to the allegations, she presented around five and a half months of short-term work at a research laboratory in Japan as postdoctoral experience. It was alleged that she did not submit an offer letter, details of the source of funding or information about remuneration for the work.

Instead of an institutional certificate, Shimu reportedly submitted a certificate signed by Dr Yoshito Chikaraishi, a professor at the Institute of Low Temperature Science at Hokkaido University, Japan.

The certificate states that she worked there from 1 April to 22 September 2022.

According to the allegations, the period was recognised as research experience on the basis of the certificate.

The syndicate formed the probe committee to examine all the allegations before taking further action regarding the teacher’s promotion.