Publish: 12:47, 16 Jan, 2023

No progress in private universities in last 10 years

Akteruzzaman
No progress in private universities in last 10 years
সংগৃহীত ছবি

According to the 48th annual report of University Grant Commission (UGC), no mentionable progress has been observed in the private universities of Bangladesh in last 10 years.

Private universities were introduced in the country in 1992. After 30 years of that introduction, now the country has 109 private universities. The universities were spread in short time, while very little quality service is visible in them. Rather, irregularities have been common phenomena in many of them. The universities were stricken with several problems like disinterest in research, certificate-business, conducting non-approved branch or campuses, conflict in trustee board etc. Not submitting the financial report year after year has become a tradition here.

According to annual report of UGC, in 2012, the total number of private universities in the country was 60 and the number of their students was 3, 14, and 640. In 2021, the number of universities has been increased to 108 and the number of students became 3, 10,107. It’s interesting that the number of students hasn’t increased proportionately according to increasing number of universities. Rather, it has been decreased.

The number of students trying to pursue higher studies is increasing; however they’re becoming less-interested in taking the education from private ones. Once, lot of foreign students used to study in private universities, but that’s decreasing, too. In 2012, the number of foreign students was 1, 642, in 2017 it was 1, 977, but in 2021 it was 1, 604.  Low quality of education in private universities, the propensity of students involving in movements and politics are the reasons for decreasing number of foreign students, according to the authorities concerned. In 2021, the universities spent Tk 85, 202 per student, while it was Tk 1, 07, 430 in 2014. Each year the tuition fee is increasing, but the opposite scenario is visible in spending for the students.

Two-and-a-half decades have been passed after the introduction of private universities in the country. Nonetheless, they’re depending mostly on part-time teachers. In 2021, a total of 3,311 part-time teachers used to work in private universities. As the teachers were part-timer, the occurrences like sacking them, giving less salary was frequently visible. As a result, the talented teachers also lost interest in becoming its teachers. According to the information of UGC, in 2021, the average proportion of teachers-students was satisfactory in the universities, but in many private universities, this proportion wasn’t up to the expectation. Among these universities, there are North South University, South East University, Prime University, Royal University of Dhaka, European University of Bangladesh, The International University of Scholars, NPI University and some others.

It has been found in the UGC report that academic or student enrollment activities of four universities are stopped. Those are America Bangladesh University, Queens University, IBAIS University and The University of Cumilla. None of these universities have any legal authority or VC, Pro-VC and Treasurer. According to ‘Private University Law, 2010’, the board of trustees has to arrange council at least once in a year to establish good governance and remove problems. But, some of the universities didn’t hold the council even just for once. Even, some universities like United International University, Central Women’s University, Bangladesh University, Prime Asia University, and North East University haven’t held the meeting of their finance committee.

According to the educationists, due to absence of meeting of important committees of these universities, huge irregularities are visible inside them. Former UGC chairman Professor Abdul Mannan said, “The universities have been suffering from indiscipline and irregularities since long time. Among the 108 universities, you can’t count on more than 20 to 25 university if you consider quality.”

The educationist said, “Now, the students and guardians are very alert and they’re showing disinterest to these universities as they know the certificate of these universities won’t add any value to their career. Many of such universities got approval exercising political influence. The UGC has been striving to keep them under regulations. However, it’s hard to be successful here as they don’t get timely support from the ministry. Furthermore, the ministry itself lacks competency.”

He suggested forming a higher education commission under the educationists and empowering the UGC to solve the problems.

@The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on January 16 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque

More News
Great opportunities as Eastern Europe seeks foreign workers
Great opportunities as Eastern Europe seeks foreign workers
Banned polythene endangers environment
Banned polythene endangers environment
Foreign banks reluctant to issue LCs for some banks in the country
Foreign banks reluctant to issue LCs for some banks in the country
FBCCI involved in implementing govt’s agenda
FBCCI involved in implementing govt’s agenda
Hundi becomes reckless using TallyPay
Hundi becomes reckless using TallyPay
Big statistical discrepancies to show fake development in AL regime
Big statistical discrepancies to show fake development in AL regime
Majumdar's associates target Jamuna Bank takeover
Majumdar's associates target Jamuna Bank takeover
October dengue surge: 38 Deaths and 40,000+ hospitalizations
October dengue surge: 38 Deaths and 40,000+ hospitalizations
Export of Tk 2,500 crore charcoal in uncertainty
Export of Tk 2,500 crore charcoal in uncertainty
Govt earns billions of taka from unemployment
Govt earns billions of taka from unemployment
Excessive presence of heavy metal in Sitakunda wounds’ blood
Excessive presence of heavy metal in Sitakunda wounds’ blood
ACC, CID begin probe against Meghna Group over money laundering
ACC, CID begin probe against Meghna Group over money laundering
Latest News
Ex-DNCC Mayor Atiq arrested
Ex-DNCC Mayor Atiq arrested

5 hours ago | National

Govt plans to introduce pension for RMG workers: Asif
Govt plans to introduce pension for RMG workers: Asif

6 hours ago | National

Great opportunities as Eastern Europe seeks foreign workers
Great opportunities as Eastern Europe seeks foreign workers

6 hours ago | Special

‘Interim Govt doesn’t acknowledge Sheikh Mujib as Father of the Nation’: Nahid
‘Interim Govt doesn’t acknowledge Sheikh Mujib as Father of the Nation’: Nahid

6 hours ago | National

Bashundhara Shuvosangho distributes food among underprivileged people
Bashundhara Shuvosangho distributes food among underprivileged people

7 hours ago | Shuvosangho

World Food Day: Speakers for reducing waste to ensure food security
World Food Day: Speakers for reducing waste to ensure food security

8 hours ago | National

CA visits graffitis drawn by young revolutionaries at DU
CA visits graffitis drawn by young revolutionaries at DU

8 hours ago | National

Bangladesh Navy detains 31 Indian fishermen for illegal fishing
Bangladesh Navy detains 31 Indian fishermen for illegal fishing

9 hours ago | National

Shakib in Bangladesh squad for his last Test
Shakib in Bangladesh squad for his last Test

9 hours ago | Sports

Police to get new uniform, logo soon
Police to get new uniform, logo soon

9 hours ago | National

Dhaka voices “deep concern” over recent influx of 40,000 Rohingyas
Dhaka voices “deep concern” over recent influx of 40,000 Rohingyas

10 hours ago | National

Malaysia's 99-year-old ex-PM Mahathir in hospital again
Malaysia's 99-year-old ex-PM Mahathir in hospital again

10 hours ago | International

CA for enhanced trade cooperation between Bangladesh and Bhutan
CA for enhanced trade cooperation between Bangladesh and Bhutan

11 hours ago | National

Travel ban imposed on ex-MPs Showkat, Azad, Shaheen Chaklader
Travel ban imposed on ex-MPs Showkat, Azad, Shaheen Chaklader

11 hours ago | National

Indian airlines receive hoax bomb threats
Indian airlines receive hoax bomb threats

11 hours ago | International

12 High Court Judges being sent on leave
12 High Court Judges being sent on leave

11 hours ago | National

Conflict in Congo raises mental health issues
Conflict in Congo raises mental health issues

11 hours ago | International

‘Significant results won’t be seen soon regardless of fiscal policy’
‘Significant results won’t be seen soon regardless of fiscal policy’

11 hours ago | Economy

Body of BNP leader Harris Chowdhury exhumed
Body of BNP leader Harris Chowdhury exhumed

11 hours ago | National

Fuel tanker explosion in Nigeria killed 90
Fuel tanker explosion in Nigeria killed 90

12 hours ago | International

UK inflation hits three-year low, fuelling rate-cut hopes
UK inflation hits three-year low, fuelling rate-cut hopes

12 hours ago | International

Judges appointed during AL govt on leave: Sources
Judges appointed during AL govt on leave: Sources

12 hours ago | National

32,733 accidents in Bangladesh result in 35,384 deaths since 2019
32,733 accidents in Bangladesh result in 35,384 deaths since 2019

12 hours ago | National

Harris would ‘cut her own path’: Biden
Harris would ‘cut her own path’: Biden

12 hours ago | International

Case filed over 2014 attack on Khaleda Zia's rally stage
Case filed over 2014 attack on Khaleda Zia's rally stage

12 hours ago | National

Matia Chowdhury passes away
Matia Chowdhury passes away

12 hours ago | National

155 acres of occupied BFIDC land recovered
155 acres of occupied BFIDC land recovered

13 hours ago | National

Tigers’ new coach Phil Simmons arrives in Dhaka
Tigers’ new coach Phil Simmons arrives in Dhaka

13 hours ago | Sports

ICT prosecution to follow due process in trying journalists
ICT prosecution to follow due process in trying journalists

13 hours ago | National

Normalcy returns to RMG sector
Normalcy returns to RMG sector

13 hours ago | National

Most Read
Flood victims in remote areas get food aid
Flood victims in remote areas get food aid

1 month ago | National

Bashundhara Group urges govt to stop propaganda to safeguard millions’ livelihoods
Bashundhara Group urges govt to stop propaganda to safeguard millions’ livelihoods

1 week ago | National

Nowfel and Liton: Duo in looting Tk 5,000 crore through fake cigarettes, band rolls
Nowfel and Liton: Duo in looting Tk 5,000 crore through fake cigarettes, band rolls

1 week ago | Special

Agarwala’s Diamond World evades Tk25,200cr in VAT
Agarwala’s Diamond World evades Tk25,200cr in VAT

1 month ago | National

What's behind China's gold-buying spree?
What's behind China's gold-buying spree?

6 months ago | Feature

Tasty drinks to boost kids' immunity in winter
Tasty drinks to boost kids' immunity in winter

9 months ago | Lifestyle

Prince Harry, Britney Spears’ memoirs shortlisted for British Book Awards
Prince Harry, Britney Spears’ memoirs shortlisted for British Book Awards

7 months ago | Lifestyle

Pori Moni’s film campaign in Kolkata’s puja mandap
Pori Moni’s film campaign in Kolkata’s puja mandap

2 days ago | Showbiz

Russell's Viper: Myths, Facts, and Everything You Need to Know
Russell's Viper: Myths, Facts, and Everything You Need to Know

3 months ago | Feature

Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old man tagged as Trump Shooter
Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old man tagged as Trump Shooter

3 months ago | International

English Speaking Clubs in Bangladeshi Schools: A Path to Global Competence
English Speaking Clubs in Bangladeshi Schools: A Path to Global Competence

7 months ago | Reader column

Concerns mount over looted weapons
Concerns mount over looted weapons

2 months ago | Special

Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final
Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final

2 years ago | Sports

Bangladesh to play two T20s against UAE
Bangladesh to play two T20s against UAE

2 years ago | Sports

Woman held with 20 gold bars in Chuadanga
Woman held with 20 gold bars in Chuadanga

1 year ago | National

World's rarest whale washes up on New Zealand beach
World's rarest whale washes up on New Zealand beach

3 months ago | Feature

Facebook turns 20: From Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1tn company
Facebook turns 20: From Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1tn company

8 months ago | Feature

Newly appointed Indian HC Pranay Kumar arrives in Dhaka
Newly appointed Indian HC Pranay Kumar arrives in Dhaka

2 years ago | National

Some skills to learn before going to study abroad
Some skills to learn before going to study abroad

9 months ago | Lifestyle

Factors that influence ADHD symptoms
Factors that influence ADHD symptoms

3 months ago | Lifestyle

Coconut for summer skin and hair care
Coconut for summer skin and hair care

3 months ago | Lifestyle

Study reveals changing attitudes of Bangladeshis towards Rohingya refugees
Study reveals changing attitudes of Bangladeshis towards Rohingya refugees

5 months ago | Feature

Sajia Tonny's 'Style with Me by Sajia' becomes popular in social media
Sajia Tonny's 'Style with Me by Sajia' becomes popular in social media

4 months ago | Lifestyle

Exploring Ratargul Swamp Forest: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the “Amazon of Bangladesh”
Exploring Ratargul Swamp Forest: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the “Amazon of Bangladesh”

5 months ago | Feature

Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic
Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic

4 months ago | Feature

King Charles III celebrates 75th birthday
King Charles III celebrates 75th birthday

11 months ago | Lifestyle

Dhakaiaa Jamdani revolutionizing fashion in Bangladesh
Dhakaiaa Jamdani revolutionizing fashion in Bangladesh

3 months ago | Lifestyle

Aquaculture production overtakes capture fisheries for first time
Aquaculture production overtakes capture fisheries for first time

4 months ago | Feature

Real Madrid down Juventus 2-0 in friendly
Real Madrid down Juventus 2-0 in friendly

2 years ago | Sports

Girl discovers dinosaur footprints on beach
Girl discovers dinosaur footprints on beach

1 month ago | Lifestyle