The primary goal of education is to develop honest and competent individuals. Education enlightens people and removes darkness; that is why educational institutions are considered factories for building human character. But if those responsible for shaping the nation’s future citizens themselves become corrupt, how can an educated generation truly be formed?
Private universities are a significant part of Bangladesh’s education system. Many of these institutions face allegations of corruption. Financial, administrative, and academic irregularities are reportedly widespread. Although legally defined as “non-profit” institutions, some universities have turned into money-making machines, with allegations of large-scale financial misappropriation. These institutions are supposed to be governed through syndicates and academic councils, but in many cases they are run like personal enterprises, disregarding the law.
Five years ago, the University Grants Commission (UGC) launched investigations into 25 private universities following numerous allegations. However, complaints regarding only three universities were forwarded to the ministry concerned, and there has been little information about progress on the remaining investigations.
Allegations over certificate trading, financial irregularities
After multiple allegations of irregularities and corruption at Southern University in Chattogram, the Ministry of Education appointed
an administrator in May last year. The university faced accusations of certificate trading. On 20 April 2024, Vice-Chancellor Prof Engineer Md Mozammel Haque was reportedly relieved of his duties in violation of regulations after raising concerns about various irregularities. Subsequently, the then treasurer, Sharif Ashrafuzzaman, was appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor, despite allegations existing against him as well.
According to regulations, only the chancellor – who is the president – has the authority to appoint, remove, or relieve a vice-chancellor. On 10 September of the same year, the Private University Wing-1 of the Ministry of Education stated that Prof Mozammel Haque would continue in his position because he had not been properly relieved. However, the university’s board of trustees (BOT) reportedly ignored this directive.
Court sources said that on 24 October last year, the BOT Member Secretary Sarwar Jahan filed a writ petition in the High Court challenging the ministry’s decision. After hearings, the High Court suspended the ministry’s order. Prof Mozammel Haque later filed a civil petition in the Appellate Division challenging the High Court’s order. On 4 December, the court suspended the temporary relief order for three months, citing a lack of legal basis.
Recently, Prof Mozammel Haque filed complaints with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Ministry of Education against several BOT members, including Sarwar Jahan and Israt Jahan, alleging corruption and irregularities. The ministry directed the University Grants Commission to investigate, leading to the formation of a four-member inquiry committee. Preliminary findings reportedly indicated some validity in the allegations, prompting the appointment of an administrator to restore stability.
Southern University is not alone. The ACC has decided to investigate allegations of financial irregularities amounting to approximately Tk4.5 billion against the Board of Trustees of Shanto-Mariam University. It is alleged that Tk3.436 billion was transferred from the university’s funds to the Shanto-Mariam Foundation in violation of regulations, and that the institution evaded Tk1.02 billion in government revenue since its establishment.
The ACC has also initiated an investigation into Northern University Bangladesh. The agency announced that it is probing allegations against its BOT Chairman Abu Yusuf Md Abdullah and his family members for amassing wealth beyond known income and laundering money abroad.
Private universities outside Dhaka also face allegations. In Barishal, several private universities operate without permanent campuses, running entirely from rented buildings. The UGC has already directed one such university to halt new admissions for the January semester. Civil society representatives argue that stricter oversight is necessary, while the UGC maintains that permanent campuses are mandatory for permanent certification.
In the Barishal division, three private universities were established: Global University Bangladesh in 2015, Global Village University in 2017, and Trust University in 2018. All three continue to operate from rented premises. Students complain that promises of permanent campuses remain unfulfilled and that academic sessions are often extended beyond the stipulated duration.
Despite more than seven years since establishment, none of the private universities in Barishal has moved to its own permanent campus.
UGC preparing actions
According to the University Grants Commission, between 20 and 30 private universities face serious allegations, including money laundering and fund embezzlement. Investigations are underway, and if proven, the BOTs may be dissolved and administrators appointed.
Allegations against private universities are extensive. As student enrollment increases annually, so do income and alleged corruption. Transparency in income and expenditure remains lacking. Ignoring legal provisions, BOT members allegedly exploit various tactics to misappropriate large sums of money.
The UGC is reportedly preparing to take action against 16 private universities for failing to shift academic activities to permanent campuses, admitting excess students, and other violations.
A UGC source said that decisions would be taken against institutions that violated admission policies, appointed deans inappropriately (such as appointing a business studies dean in the arts faculty), or allowed the same individual to serve simultaneously as dean and department chair.
Under the banner of expanding higher education, education itself has effectively become commodified. Across the country, private universities have reportedly been approved based on political considerations rather than proper evaluation of qualifications and capacity. Those who obtained licenses have treated them as business ventures. Education can never truly be a business. By indiscriminately approving institutions, not only has the quality of education been undermined, but corruption has also taken root deeply within the system.
As a result, education itself is sinking into corruption.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
