The government is planning to set up a new public university in Sunamganj as part of its initiatives to expand higher education for the students of the region, said sources in the education ministry. The ministry has already sent a letter to the University Grants Commission (UGC) seeking a draft law to set up a university in Sunamganj district.

Though the name of the university has not been decided yet, UGC sources said the planned venture would entail the creation of a university of science and technology. The aim is to expand technological knowledge across the country.

Following the letter from the ministry, on 17 December the UGC formed a six-member committee headed by UGC member Prof.

M Shah Nowaz Ali and senior assistant secretary Mauli Azad as the member secretary.

Other members of the committee include UGC secretary M Khaled, personal secretary (PS) to the UGC chairman (deputy secretary) Md. Shahin Siraj, director (additional charge) Kh. Hamidur Rahman, and Finance and Accounts Division director Md. Mizanoor Rahman. “We have received a letter from the education ministry for the formulation of a draft law for a university in Sunamganj. The name has not been fixed yet, but it will be a university of science and technology,” Mauli Azad told The Independent on Monday.

“A six-member committee has been formed in this respect. We hope the law will be prepared by next month. It will then be sent to the ministry. The ministry will then await the nod from the Cabinet Division to set up the university,” she added.

Currently, there are 38 public universities in the country, and others are in the pipeline for expanding higher education to the doorsteps of the country’s students.  At present, there are 95 private universities in the country and most of them are concentrated in the capital. According to UGC data, approximately 32 lakh students are studying in both public and private universities in Bangladesh and pursuing higher education. Experts have, however, pointed out that most of the universities, both public and private, have failed to impart quality education, including the creation of new knowledge—which is the prime task of education. They have noted that a proper educational environment is lacking in such universities. Inadequate lab facilities, poorly-stocked libraries, and low-quality teachers remain the main barriers to the progress of quality higher education in Bangladesh. These aspects need to be addressed before the universities are set up, they observed.

Experts said if the government fails to ensure quality teachers and quality research, universities imparting higher education would only serve to produce graduates with certificates.