The government has found a number of irregularities and deficiencies in the country’s apex private university, North South University (NSU). The university has been asked to submit a report after tackling such matters. The education ministry found that at least 5,166 students had left the NSU without completing their education in the last five years and at least 14 foreign students did not have legal visa. They are from Pakistan, Nigeria and other countries. The NSU authorities have been asked to provide further information and explain the goings-on.
Furthermore, members of the board of trustees (BoT) are at loggerheads; BoT members are not refrained from accepting  financial benefits; there is too much dependence on part-time teachers instead of full-time ones; and excess students are admitted to a course.
In a letter on September 28, the ministry said the NSU can introduce three-hour-long non-credit extra-curricular activities. A  vigilance team and a student counseling cell are a must for overseeing the conduct and movement of teachers and students.
Students of the university get the status of full studentship after attending just two courses in a semester. As a result, the students get much leisure time, which leads to involvement in militant activities as per media reports. A committee has got such proof as well.
At least three courses should be made compulsory in each semester so that students can concentrate on their studies.
The ministry has found that the NSU is largely dependent on part-time teachers. It asked the university to increase the number of full-time teachers and ensure compulsory student counselling through close association of the teachers.
The NSU authorities have to take steps to ensure that no teacher, student or employee is involved in activities against the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
About conflicts among BoT members, the ministry directed the university authorities to put an end to such rivalry. The ministry said the BOT members have to refrain from taking any financial benefit. They were asked to explain why the ministry’s directive on signing of education treaties with national and international levels were not followed. Such directives were given to reduce the monopoly of the BoT members. The ministry again directed that those directives be implemented.
The ministry said the BoT is violating the Private University Act 2010 and running at least 17 active committees, which proves the monopoly of the BoT. An explanation has been sought regarding this matter.
The ministry said the NSU has removed 14 banned books from its library as per its directive, but it did not provide the affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper.
It has directed the NSU not to keep books that can be harmful for the nation and students. The university has to take steps so that no leaflets are distributed to create religious fanaticism.
The ministry also found that the NSU authorities are partially implementing the opportunity for freedom fighters’ children and meritorious but poor students to study free-of-cost.  The university is providing 4.6 per cent instead of the 6 per cent fixed by the government.
The ministry has directed the NSU authorities to provide information after fulfilling the ministry’s directives and inform the UGC. After the Holey Artisan Bakery attack on July 1, the police found the involvement a number of NSU students. This created an uproar in all quarters.   Later, a UGC team paid a surprise visit on July 14 and found several irregularities.  On August 19, 2015, a UGC team had visited the university and found irregularities as well.
When contacted, NSU Registrar Md Shahjahan said yesterday, “The students mainly leave the course midway because many of them cannot cope with course curriculum and financial constraints.
Even some meritorious students go abroad transferring credit.” Asked whether they found any link of such students with militant activities, he said, “I cannot say it.”
Replying to a query regarding foreign students who have been enrolled without legal visas, he said, “Generally, the students take admission to the university at first and then try to get the visa. The process needs some time. If they fail, we cancel their studentship.”
He also told The Independent that they did not receive the
September 28 letter of the education ministry till yesterday and that they would answer the queries of the ministry after they receive it.