Regulate private universities

It is quite disturbing to note that the private universities of the country are failing to impart quality education owing to myriad of problems facing them including weak infrastructure and shortage of teachers. According to a report of this newspaper on Saturday, new programmes for private universities would not be approved unless certain conditions of the Private University Act 2010 are fulfilled, the University Grants Commission (UGC) sources said. The UGC would soon send letters to private universities, reminding them of certain conditions to be fulfilled for obtaining permission for starting new programmes.

What can the learners and their parents and guardians expect from a private university if it does not have a vice-chancellor (VC), pro-vice chancellor and treasurer? It is surprising that at present, 14 universities do not have VC, pro-VC and treasurer. At present, there are 95 private universities and 38 public universities in the country, offering tertiary education to about 32 lakh students with the purpose of ensuring quality education. Majority of private universities in the capital are still far away from fulfilling the requirement of founding such institutions.

Most of the existing private universities have failed to provide a congenial educational environment and quality education due to shortage of competent teachers and key administrative persons such as vice-chancellors, pro-VC and treasurers. Running universities with part-time teachers has become a practice. There are allegations of corruption and irregularities against many of these private universities. That the government gives permission to private universities under pressure from political leaders and businessmen is not a healthy trend. Most of the private universities do not have their own permanent campuses, and classes are held in rented buildings in commercial or residential areas.

Although many feel that the quality of education in a private university is not up the mark, the fact of the matter is these higher seats of learning have now become an integral part of Bangladesh’s education system and they are indeed contributing to generation of graduates when number of public universities and their seats are very limited. Many of the private universities are producing certificate-oriented graduates and post-graduates in exchange for a huge amount of money. In many cases certificates are ‘sold’ in exchange for money. And the parents and guardians of the students are the hapless victims of it. The relevant authorities ought to take tough stand against the private universities that have failed to deliver. There is no scope to compromise where the quality of education is concerned.  

 

Regulate private universities

It is quite disturbing to note that the private universities of the country are failing to impart quality education owing to myriad of problems facing them including weak infrastructure and shortage of teachers. According to a report of this newspaper on Saturday, new programmes for private universities would not be approved unless certain conditions of the Private University Act 2010 are fulfilled, the University Grants Commission (UGC) sources said. The UGC would soon send letters to private universities, reminding them of certain conditions to be fulfilled for obtaining permission for starting new programmes. What can the learners and their parents and guardians expect from a private university if it does not have a vice-chancellor (VC), pro-vice chancellor and treasurer? It is surprising that at present, 14 universities do not have VC, pro-VC and treasurer. At present, there are 95 private universities and 38 public universities in the country, offering tertiary education to about 32 lakh students with the purpose of ensuring quality education. Majority of private universities in the capital are still far away from fulfilling the requirement of founding such institutions. Most of the existing private universities have failed to provide a congenial educational environment and quality education due to shortage of competent teachers and key administrative persons such as vice-chancellors, pro-VC and treasurers. Running universities with part-time teachers has become a practice. There are allegations of corruption and irregularities against many of these private universities. That the government gives permission to private universities under pressure from political leaders and businessmen is not a healthy trend. Most of the private universities do not have their own permanent campuses, and classes are held in rented buildings in commercial or residential areas. Although many feel that the quality of education in a private university is not up the mark, the fact of the matter is these higher seats of learning have now become an integral part of Bangladeshs education system and they are indeed contributing to generation of graduates when number of public universities and their seats are very limited. Many of the private universities are producing certificate-oriented graduates and post-graduates in exchange for a huge amount of money. In many cases certificates are sold in exchange for money. And the parents and guardians of the students are the hapless victims of it. The relevant authorities ought to take tough stand against the private universities that have failed to deliver. There is no scope to compromise where the quality of education is concerned.