BRINGING GOVT COLLEGES UNDER PUBLIC VaRSITIES
UGC forms new committee
Panel asked to submit report within 30 working days
HARUN UR RASHID
Cancelling the previous committee, the University Grants Commission (UGC) formed a new six-member committee for bringing government colleges under the control of public universities in order to reduce pressure on the National University.
The six-member committee headed by UGC member, Prof. (Dr) Mohammad Mohabbat Khan, was formed yesterday.
UGC sources said other members of the new committee were Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AAMS Arefin Siddique; Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Muhammad Mizanuddi; Chittagong University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Anwarul Azim Arif and UGC Secretary, Md. Khaled.
The UGC said the new committee has been asked to submit its report within 30 working days as the earlier committee, which was formed nine months ago, could not submit any report in this regard.
However, concerned officials said that the task of integrating government colleges under the supervision of public universities is still uncertain, though nearly a year has passed since the Prime Minister issued the directive in this regard.
Prof. Abdul Mannan, Chairman of UGC told The Independent, A smaller committee has been formed after disbanding the previous one. The new committee has been asked to submit its report along with its recommendations within 30 working days. We are hopeful this committee will do it within the deadline.
The UGC Chairman said the Education Ministry asked the commission to provide recommendations regarding integration of government colleges with public universities across the country.
Earlier on December 8, 2014, the UGC formed an eight-member committee headed by Prof. (Dr) Mohammad Mohabbat Khan to bring government colleges under the supervision of public universities, but it could not submit any report.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to the Education Ministry on August 31, 2014 issued a directive for bringing colleges offering honours and masters degree courses under public universities for improving the quality of education and reducing session jam in the National University.
Following the directive, the first committee was formed during the tenure of the former UGC Chairman, Dr. AK Azad Chowdhury.
The Prime Minister on August 5 this year again emphasised on bringing government colleges under respective public universities when a four-member delegation led by the newly-appointed UGC Chairman, Prof. Abdul Mannan, called on her. The PM said the system of higher studies should be changed by bringing government colleges as affiliated bodies under public universities. Though, the prime minister reiterated her desire to bring government colleges under public universities, no pragmatic steps have been taken yet. Instead, a second committee has been formed in this regard.
According to National University sources, there are 2,116 educational institutions including both government and private colleges in which around 2,107,602 students are studying. Of them, 275 are government colleges catering to nearly 13 lakh students.
At present there are 37 public universities across the country and if the integration takes place, around seven to eight colleges will be affiliated to each public university.
Some Vice-Chancellors said its a long procedure to integrate government colleges with the existing regional public universities as there are many unsettled issues.
Prof. (Dr) AKM Nur-un-Nabi, Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur told The Independent, Its a matter of long discussion on various related issues. But it is necessary for coordination and improving the quality of education. There are certain issues like what would be the status of college teachers, what would be the syllabuses and curricula etc.
