Md Moniruzzaman :
Dhaka University, the country’s oldest public Institute for higher studies, has witnessed and weaved stories of a nation throughout the years. The University has in the past blossomed into a giant educational and political powerhouse in all aspects.
Moreover, it is regretful that the university is now going with a lot of inconsistencies including research shortage, inadequate seat in dormitories, political control in administration.
In terms of global university rankings, like Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking 2023, DU has remained in an unchanged position as in previous years, at the 801-1000 range.
The university currently spends of its budget for research work only 1.63 per cent (15.05 cr) for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
However, the university has given some scheme to increase it’s academic and research activities and collaboration with stockholders as well as it also given a large development Master Plan.
The University formed a 11-member body by renowned researchers and scholars of the country to make short and long time plan and recommendation to increase education and research activities with the view of needs, importance and relevance of the age.
Moreover, the committee will provide advice about curriculum and syllabus content, identify the areas of research and innovation, scope and learning process aimed at building skilled human resources who will be capable to achieve different national development goals and leading the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
The university has been providing incentives for basic and fundamental research prospects of the faculty members. It has awarded more than 400 research projects to faculty members making the 100 years celebration.
Besides, the university has decided to arrange research and publication fair for three days making the 102nd founding anniversary at the central playground of Dhaka University.
The fair will have 10 pavilions for university faculties and one for institutes. However, due to lack of adequate preparation, the administration reverted the fair to October.
“The fair will encourage basic and applied research among the students and teachers of the university. From now, this fair will be held every year,” Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof ASM Maksud Kamal told to The New Nation.
“The fair will improve the relationship between the stakeholders associated with the departments and institutes of the university, which will be help the students to get jobs,” he added.
However, the University has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with over two hundreds entities like universities, research institutions, government and non-government organizations at the international and national level to augment research, promote knowledge management and increase the exchange programmes of faculties and students through collaborative research, research funding, training and teaching and student exchange programmes.
“We are entering various agreements with all the stakeholder and institutions so that they can support the research work of the university,” ASM Maksud Kamal said.
“Today, the students are flocking to the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) because of the university do not have any relationship with the stakeholders,” he added.
“Our main focus is to make a suitable market for the students. We will learn from the stakeholders whether the current syllabus is market friendly? And what kind of changes they want in it,” Pro Vice-Chancellor said.
