The government is still unable to run Private Universities in the country within the regulations.
Conflict among trustee board members, lawsuits, “certificate business” and other allegations are common against many of those institutions.
Hence, many of those universities lack the environment that is necessary for studying.
It is known that, most of the private universities that have been approved on political consideration during Awami League regime are in poor condition, resulting in a barrier to quality education.
University Grants Commission (UGC) on a regular basis receives applications for certificate verification from various departments.
Data on Private University shows that there are total 115 private universities available in the country, of these, 106 universities are running educational programs.
The government shut America Bangladesh University in 2006 for failing to ensure quality education, but a court ruled against the order in 2013. Currently, the university does not have any approved campus. The university also has no legal basis. But the university’s signboard still adorns a building in Baridhara, the capital.
The UGC has kept a watchful eye on several universities that were run unbridled during the ouster prime minister Sheikh Hasina regime. These are; Atish Dipankar University of Science & Technology, Premier University, Stamford and several other universities.
On the other hand, UGC is inspecting these universities on allegations that several universities were taken over during the Awami League regime.
Seeking anonymity, a source at UGC said: “During the AL regime, the Stamford University was running as it pleased. Due to nepotism, the university got involved in many irregularities and corruption.”
There are many allegations against Dhaka International University, including taking exams without completing required classes and shortening the course schedule.
Cox’s Bazar International University, which got the approval under political consideration, is dying due to conflicts among trustees. Founding Trustee Board Chairman Mohammed Muzibur Rahman told Bangladesh Pratidin: “Former Trustee Board Chairman Salah Uddin Ahmad has committed a lot of corruption in this university, using the AL’s influence.”
Mr Rahman said that there are several pending cases against Salah Uddin Ahmad.
He claimed that after removal of accused Salah Uddin from Trustee Board, the university is currently conducting sound academic activities.
As the temporary permit has expired, the International Business Administration and Information System University (IBAISU) have no legal base. However, the reporter found that many officials of UGC and superior bodies of universities were managed their job with illegal certificates and now are waiting for promotion.
As the temporary approval of University of Comilla has expired, it has no legal basis to run its activities, and UGC officials also allege the University of “Fake Certificate Distribution”.
The government asked to stop student enrollment at Victoria University of Bangladesh from January 2023 as it failed to transfer its campus to the permanent campus within stipulated time.
The temporary approval for the Central University of Science & Technology has also expired. This university has been facing various problems since its establishment including conflict among trustees, and lawsuits. However, the UGC asked not to enroll new student in the university in February 2022.
Investigations into financial, academic and administrative irregularities are ongoing against the Southern University and several cases are pending in the court against the university.
The People’s University of Bangladesh has not had a treasurer appointed by the President since its establishment.
Queens University, Bangladesh has been remained close since October 2006.
Many universities are following UGC regulations, said UGC Chairman Professor SMA Faiz, adding: “There are private universities that run their activities as business institutions in the name of education.”
Universities can never be business institutions.
The Chairman said: “UGC will not allow universities to run without following regulations.”
He assured of taking initiatives to make sure that universities are running within the regulations, and said: We do not want to be harsh against anyone, but we will remain steadfast in our principles.”
Translated by Afsar Munna
