Out of 109 private universities in the country, 76 universities running their academic activities in rented houses or temporary campuses.
According to the Private Universities Act, the university has an obligation to transfer all activities to its own permanent campus within 12 years of its establishment. But almost two decades after the commencement of the educational program, many universities have not moved to permanent campuses for mysterious reasons.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has sent letters to the universities to move to permanent campuses, but they have not heeded it. Private universities have been running campuses in temporary buildings or houses using various excuses for years.
UGC secretary Dr Ferdous Zaman told Bangladesh Pratidin, “It is an unfortunate fact that even after 20-22 years of establishment, many universities have not started education programs on permanent campuses. Many have the ability to go but don't, it's a sad thing.”
“If no action is taken against these universities, given more time, they will never go into permanent infrastructure. Such a tough decision has to be taken to restore order in higher education,” he added.
Many universities including Asha University, PrimeAsia University, Victoria University have been conducting education programs at temporary addresses for more than 20 years.
Sources who do not want to be named also said that there are allegations against some universities of smuggling hundreds of crores of taka abroad even if they do not go to the permanent campus.
Six universities have been given an ultimatum till March 31 to transfer the entire program including the education program to the permanent campus. These are - Dhaka International University, Royal University, Southeast University, City University, The Millennium University and Bangladesh University.
If they fail to start all activities including education programs in the permanent campus within the stipulated time, the admission of new students in these universities will be stopped from April 1.
Also, ultimatum has been given till June 30 to BRAC University, University of Development Alternative, Green University, Uttara University, Presidency University and The People's University.
In consideration of the written commitment, this time has been given to transfer the entire program including the education program to the permanent campus. UGC has given an ultimatum to stop the admission of new students in these universities from July 1 if they cannot go to the permanent campus within the stipulated time.
Prof Abdul Mannan, former chairman of UGC recently told Bangladesh Pratidin, “An anarchic situation has been created in private universities since long. Currently there are 109 universities. But in terms of quality, there should not be more than 20 to 25 private universities. And many private universities have been sanctioned for political reasons.”
“UGC tried hard to keep universities in line. But this is not always possible due to lack of timely cooperation from the Ministry. I think UGC should be empowered to regulate private universities or a Higher Education Commission should be led by academics,” he added.
@The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on February 4 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan
