Philip Joseph Hartog

Philip Joseph Hartog is known as PJ Hartog. Sir Philip Joseph Hartog took office on 1 December 1920.  After the decision was taken to establish Dhaka University, Sir Philip Joseph Hartog was given the responsibility of Vice-Chancellor considering his administrative skills. He joined the project office of Dhaka University in Calcutta on 1 December 1920 with a salary of four thousand rupees and accommodation. He was accompanied by his wife, Lady Mabel, Helen Hartog, and two children.

Sir Hartog was born on March 2, 184. His ancestors once lived in Holland. One of his ancestors from Holland went to France in the early nineteenth century. From France, his father once went to England to teach French. From then on, the family started living in England.  According to him, Sir Hartog was a British man and religiously a Jew. He was the third of three brothers and one sister in the family.

Sir Hartog was outstanding in both educational qualifications and administrative skills. He received the most modern education of his time. He received secondary education at University College School, London. He received his higher education from the University of Paris, France, the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and College the France. Finally, he was a Bishop of Berkeley Scholar at the College of Wales in Manchester.

He began his career as an assistant lecturer in chemistry at Victoria University. He then moved from teaching to university administration at the University of Manchester. He was the Academic Registrar at the University of London for about 18 years.

The Hartog couple was given a reception on 7 January 1921 at the Baldhar Baganbari premises in Dhaka. The first vice-chancellor of Dhaka University said on the day, "You know the historical background of the establishment of this university. After the abolition of the new province, this university is the fruit of the discussions of the Muslim representatives to Lord Hardinge." He wanted a secular and knowledge-based middle-class society to develop in East Bengal, especially among the backward Bengali Muslims. So that they can take more part in political affairs and show sufficient qualifications and skills in running the government of Bengal in future. Sir Hartog's efforts to keep Dhaka University at the forefront were extensive.

He introduced some rules on his initiative. For example, two teachers will see the answer sheet of the examination. But no number will be given in the answer sheet.  If the difference between the numbers given by the two is more than ten per cent, the answer sheet will be seen by another third person.  An eminent professor from an outside university will be present to determine the results after the oral examination. Besides, there will be 'tutorial classes' throughout the year. Many of his customary rules still exist in the university.

Serve as a model university for the whole of India.  Proof of this is Sir Hartog's conscious decision to hire teachers. He was eager to rise above all kinds of prejudices and select the highest worth. The selection board was formed.  Advertising in India and England also attracts a lot of applications from home and abroad.

In 1920, Governor-General Ronald's advised him in a long letter. He also recommended the names of some teachers. But the prudent Hartog did not accept anything else as an alternative to the candidate's academic achievement. This is why he said in his speech at the second convocation of 1924: 

I have no desire to praise our achievements. But I claim that in the two and a half years that have passed since we opened our doors, we have laid the foundation of a.  real university. 

The role of his partner Mabel Helen at the time was also undeniable. Hartog's busyness compensated for his loneliness with the backward students. These girls from conservative Bengali households were unhesitatingly welcomed in his house. Many students were waiting for him at the end of the class.  Later the guardians would come and take him home.

In short, the unexpected changes that the people of East Bengal witnessed between the beginning and the end of the same century were first drafted by Sir Hartog. He is the one who laid the foundation of the tower on which the Bengalis discovered the world with new eyes. And wherever he is, the Bengalis are indebted to him indefinitely. The Muslim society of East Bengal is almost indebted.

After retiring from Dhaka University, he joined the Indian Public Service Commission. In 1928-29 he was inaugurated as the Chairman of the Indian Education Committee. He was also the director of the International English Committee formed to investigate the reliability of the test. He was also aware of his community. Sir Hartog was an active member of the board of directors of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London.

Hartog's proficiency in English, German, French, Urdu, Hindi and Bengali is a testament to the depth of his thinking. He is the author of several research books, including An Examination of Examination (1935), The Purpose of Examination (1938), Some Aspects of Indian Education: Past and Present, Culture: Its History and Meaning, Worlds in Action (1945). Mrs Hartog's memoir about him P.J.  Hartog: A Memoir. This great academic educator died on June 26, 1948.