NSU passes off ministers remarks as inadvertent, blames ministers age
Staff Reporter
The authorities of North South University (NSU) said on Monday that education minister Nurul Islam Nahid might have inadvertently told a TV channel that the President does not go to the NSU to attend its convocation. The education minister is an aged person and it is not possible for him to remember all things all the time. Our honourable President clearly said he will not go to a university more than once. He sends the education minister and UGC chairman as his representatives. But the President came to our university twicein 2014 and 2016, said Mohammed Shajahan, chairman, NSU board of trustees (BoT).
Shahjahan made the remarks at a press conference on the NSU premises that was held to protesting against a TV report on various irregularities of the NSU authorities. About the irregularities mentioned in the report, Shajahan said : We are soft so that our children do not suffer. But we are strong about the varsity authorities. Like our Chancellor, the President, does not go there. This is a signal. No matter how powerful they are, the President does not go. If they follow the right path, they will get the respect.
In reply to a query whether the NSU authorities spoke to the education minister for his remark, Shahjahan said it is his own perception.
He said: Our education minister is a busy person. He remains busy in various tasks. He might have forgotten it. He himself was present there.
At the press conference, the NSU authorities claimed that they provide education of international standards, even after charging tuition fees lower than those of other universities.
Over the past 15 years, the inflation rate has gone up more than 100 per cent, but tuition fees are raised by 50 per cent every four years. Prices of education-related materials have also increased more than 80 per cent. Salaries of our PhD-holder teachers have increased 10 times, Shahjahan said. NSU vice-chancellor Prof Atique Islam and other BoT member were present on the occasion.
A student in India has to spend about Rs. 20 lakh for a four-year undergraduate course. In developed countries, a student spends USD 30,000-80,000 for the same. The NSU takes only Tk. 8 lakh and provides international standard education, said Shajahan.
Even though the NSU is making its presence felt in the international arena, some vested quarters are trying to malign it, he added.
About the reports on the universitys audit and income-expenditure, Shajahan said: All reports are prepared in accordance with the University Act. No document is kept secret. These reports are sent to the UGC, education ministry and the President. All our transactions have been transparent.
About the alleged irregularities of buying land at high prices in the Ashaloy Housing project area, Shajahan said: The NSU has bought 205 bighas at the market price in a transparent manner. There has been no tax evasion. We decided to purchase the land for the expansion of the university, as the current campus cannot accommodate 24,000 students. Weve bought the land to set up a residential university there.
Asked about the legal action against the false report, Shajahan said: Legal advisors of the university have been informed. They will look into the matter.
He also said that the NSU is a non-profit institution and its BoT members do not receive any benefit from the university.
Denying the allegation that only the BoT members visit foreign countries on varsity funds, Shajahan said: The BoT members visit foreign countries along with the vice-chancellor to ink agreements with foreign universities. Later, teachers are also sent to those countries.
