17 new pvt varsities await govt nod

“If more private varsities get approval, it would be difficult to ensure competent VCs, pro-VCs and teachers”

Even though most of the existing private universities have failed to fulfil the standards of quality education and many of them have not even bothered to adhere to the Private University Act, 2010, at least 17 new private universities have applied to the government for temporary permission to open in different parts of the country, including the capital and its adjacent areas. Entrepreneurs of the 17 universities have submitted necessary papers and requested the University Grants Commission (UGC) to carry out field visits to these proposed universities to get the requisite approval.
The proposed universities are: Tagore University of Creative Arts, Keraniganj; Kamal Uddin Ahmed University of Science and Technology, Gazipur; South Region University, Patuakhali; RTM Al Kabir Technical University, Sylhet Sadar; University of Atish Dipankar, Munshiganj; Khulna Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah University, Khulna; Ahsania Mission University of Science and Technology, Rajshahi; Singapore University of Bangladesh, Mirpur, Dhaka; Apollo University of Science and Technology, Chand­pur; University of Brahmanbaria; Rangpur University; International Culture University; University of Management Science, Gazipur; University of Modern Technology, Banani, Dhaka; North Bengal University, Rangpur; Raushan Ershad International University, Mymensingh; and International Standard University, Mahakhali Dhaka. Meanwhile, the UGC has completed the field visits and sent reports to the ministry on some of these universities. The universities are: Tagore University of Creative Arts, the entrepreneur of which is Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University, Anisuzzaman; RTM Al Kabir Technical University; University of Atish Dipankar; Singapore University of Bangladesh, the entrepreneur of which is HM Golam Reza, former lawmaker and whip; Apollo University of Science and Technology, the entrepreneur of which is lawmaker Shamsul Alam Bhuiyan; and International Culture University.
The UGC, however, has not yet visited other proposed universities, including South Region University, the entrepreneur of which is Parliament’s chief whip ASM Feroz.
Currently, there are 95 private universities and 42 public universities in the country. Even though some of these universities have already received approval, they have not formally opened.
Most of these private universities are in the capital, while among the 17 proposed universities, at least four are in the capital or are adjacent to it.
Though the government has decided in principle not to set up more universities in the capital, it has been very often found that the universities are set up in the capital or adjacent to it.
Academicians point out the number of private universities is increasing rapidly because the public universities have failed to provide seats for all students, and secondly, most of these private universities have only commercial interests.
Allegations of corruption and irregularities have been levelled against many of these private universities, they said, adding that most of the private universities have failed to maintain the standards of education.
They also observed that the government gives permission to the private universities under pressure from political leaders and businessmen.
Experts also say most of the private universities do not have their own permanent campuses, and classes are held in rented buildings in commercial or residential areas.
At the same time, most of the private universities have failed to appoint vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors, and treasurers in keeping with the laws and appointed persons of their own choice, flouting the Private University Act. It has also been found that most of such universities are run by part-time teachers from public universities.
Eminent educationist and Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University, Serajul Islam Choudhury, told The Independent that even though many students decided not to pursue studies abroad as these private universities had opened their doors to them, the quality of education in such universities was poor and most of these universities lacked good libraries.   
“If more private universities are allowed to set up, it would be difficult to ensure competent vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors, treasurers and teachers. Finally, the quality of education would suffer,” he added.
Before giving permission to the private universities, the government should find out whether the authorities of these universities could provide proper academic infrastructure, he said.
“The government should ensure that these private universities do not compromise with the standards of education. Otherwise, our students will suffer and they will remain unemployed despite having degrees,” he added.

 

17 new pvt varsities await govt nod

“If more private varsities get approval, it would be difficult to ensure competent VCs, pro-VCs and teachers”

Even though most of the existing private universities have failed to fulfil the standards of quality education and many of them have not even bothered to adhere to the Private University Act, 2010, at least 17 new private universities have applied to the government for temporary permission to open in different parts of the country, including the capital and its adjacent areas. Entrepreneurs of the 17 universities have submitted necessary papers and requested the University Grants Commission (UGC) to carry out field visits to these proposed universities to get the requisite approval. The proposed universities are: Tagore University of Creative Arts, Keraniganj; Kamal Uddin Ahmed University of Science and Technology, Gazipur; South Region University, Patuakhali; RTM Al Kabir Technical University, Sylhet Sadar; University of Atish Dipankar, Munshiganj; Khulna Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah University, Khulna; Ahsania Mission University of Science and Technology, Rajshahi; Singapore University of Bangladesh, Mirpur, Dhaka; Apollo University of Science and Technology, Chandpur; University of Brahmanbaria; Rangpur University; International Culture University; University of Management Science, Gazipur; University of Modern Technology, Banani, Dhaka; North Bengal University, Rangpur; Raushan Ershad International University, Mymensingh; and International Standard University, Mahakhali Dhaka. Meanwhile, the UGC has completed the field visits and sent reports to the ministry on some of these universities. The universities are: Tagore University of Creative Arts, the entrepreneur of which is Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University, Anisuzzaman; RTM Al Kabir Technical University; University of Atish Dipankar; Singapore University of Bangladesh, the entrepreneur of which is HM Golam Reza, former lawmaker and whip; Apollo University of Science and Technology, the entrepreneur of which is lawmaker Shamsul Alam Bhuiyan; and International Culture University. The UGC, however, has not yet visited other proposed universities, including South Region University, the entrepreneur of which is Parliaments chief whip ASM Feroz. Currently, there are 95 private universities and 42 public universities in the country. Even though some of these universities have already received approval, they have not formally opened. Most of these private universities are in the capital, while among the 17 proposed universities, at least four are in the capital or are adjacent to it. Though the government has decided in principle not to set up more universities in the capital, it has been very often found that the universities are set up in the capital or adjacent to it. Academicians point out the number of private universities is increasing rapidly because the public universities have failed to provide seats for all students, and secondly, most of these private universities have only commercial interests. Allegations of corruption and irregularities have been levelled against many of these private universities, they said, adding that most of the private universities have failed to maintain the standards of education. They also observed that the government gives permission to the private universities under pressure from political leaders and businessmen. Experts also say most of the private universities do not have their own permanent campuses, and classes are held in rented buildings in commercial or residential areas. At the same time, most of the private universities have failed to appoint vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors, and treasurers in keeping with the laws and appointed persons of their own choice, flouting the Private University Act. It has also been found that most of such universities are run by part-time teachers from public universities. Eminent educationist and Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University, Serajul Islam Choudhury, told The Independent that even though many students decided not to pursue studies abroad as these private universities had opened their doors to them, the quality of education in such universities was poor and most of these universities lacked good libraries. If more private universities are allowed to set up, it would be difficult to ensure competent vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors, treasurers and teachers. Finally, the quality of education would suffer, he added. Before giving permission to the private universities, the government should find out whether the authorities of these universities could provide proper academic infrastructure, he said. The government should ensure that these private universities do not compromise with the standards of education. Otherwise, our students will suffer and they will remain unemployed despite having degrees, he added.