Staff Reporter :
Private universities that have failed to relocate to their permanent campuses yet have been given more time to do so.
As per the government instruction, the private universities are scheduled to run their academic activities on their own campuses from September 15.
But the time has been extended as Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid at a discussion on Thursday asked the authorities of private universities to submit their report by September 30.
“Maintaining all criteria and conditions, the private
universities, which failed to shift to their own campuses yet, will have to submit a report on their latest status by September 30,” he told at the discussion of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in city.
Based on the report, the Education Minister said, the government will take steps against the private universities.
The private universities were given stipulated timeframe to move to their own campuses, he said, adding that legal action will be taken against those approved universities for violation of conditions imposed by the government.
A total of 83 private universities have been running their academic activities across the country. Of them, only 17 universities have their own campuses while 27 other private universities have shifted to their own campuses partially.
According to the Private University Act 2010, it is mandatory to own a campus within five years of opening, a condition which only 17 out of 83 private universities managed to adhere.
But the University Grants Commission (UGC) cannot take action against the irregularities and mismanagement of private universities as it has no power, said UGC Chairman Professor Abdul Mannan.
In this context, he placed various irregularities and mismanagement of the private universities.
“Most of the private universities don’t invite the government and UGC nominated member at the syndicate meeting,” he said.
He added some private universities have been running academic activities on non-approved campuses.
“And some universities are also facing difficulties as crack developed among the Board of Trustee. Besides, most of the private universities don’t have wage structure for its teachers, officers and other employees,” the UGC Chairman said.
As a result, he said, many teachers, officials and employees are being terminated indiscriminately.
“Except a few, most of the universities don’t have standard research centres and laboratories. But we are failing to take action against them as we have limited power. The Education Ministry will take decision regarding the issue,” he said.
He said even many private universities do not submit their audit reports.
Meanwhile, Association of Non-Government Universities of Bangladesh President Sheikh Kabir Hossain demanded that the value added tax be scrapped.
“The proposed VAT will have a negative impact on guardians as they will have to bear the additional cost of education,” he said.
Professor Emajuddin Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of University of Development Alternative (UODA), demanded of the government to sanction one acre of land for each private university.
Mohammed Farashuddin, Chairperson, Board of Trustees of East West University said the government will have to give more power to the UGC to monitor private universities’ activities.
He also requested the UGC to take action against the private universities, which do not hold regular syndicate and academic council meetings.
“I’m also demanding of the government to give a play ground adjacent to the capital for the students of private universities. There is no chance to get benefit by running the private universities,” the former Bangladesh Bank governor said.
According to UGC, the private universities are failing to provide quality education to the students as their main objectives are to make money. Many private universities have opened their branches on business purpose, violating the rules set by the authorities concerned.
Some of the private universities are engaged in certificate trade in the name of providing education, and the UGC has filed cases with the court against those universities, sources added.
A UGC official said some students who are from rich families and require only certificates take admission to such universities. Even some private universities are facing ownership conflicts, he said.
The UGC job has become harder as approvals are given to private universities under political consideration.
UGC sources alleged that political influence worked behind the approval of most of the private universities in recent years.
Private universities that have failed to relocate to their permanent campuses yet have been given more time to do so.
As per the government instruction, the private universities are scheduled to run their academic activities on their own campuses from September 15.
But the time has been extended as Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid at a discussion on Thursday asked the authorities of private universities to submit their report by September 30.
“Maintaining all criteria and conditions, the private
universities, which failed to shift to their own campuses yet, will have to submit a report on their latest status by September 30,” he told at the discussion of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in city.
Based on the report, the Education Minister said, the government will take steps against the private universities.
The private universities were given stipulated timeframe to move to their own campuses, he said, adding that legal action will be taken against those approved universities for violation of conditions imposed by the government.
A total of 83 private universities have been running their academic activities across the country. Of them, only 17 universities have their own campuses while 27 other private universities have shifted to their own campuses partially.
According to the Private University Act 2010, it is mandatory to own a campus within five years of opening, a condition which only 17 out of 83 private universities managed to adhere.
But the University Grants Commission (UGC) cannot take action against the irregularities and mismanagement of private universities as it has no power, said UGC Chairman Professor Abdul Mannan.
In this context, he placed various irregularities and mismanagement of the private universities.
“Most of the private universities don’t invite the government and UGC nominated member at the syndicate meeting,” he said.
He added some private universities have been running academic activities on non-approved campuses.
“And some universities are also facing difficulties as crack developed among the Board of Trustee. Besides, most of the private universities don’t have wage structure for its teachers, officers and other employees,” the UGC Chairman said.
As a result, he said, many teachers, officials and employees are being terminated indiscriminately.
“Except a few, most of the universities don’t have standard research centres and laboratories. But we are failing to take action against them as we have limited power. The Education Ministry will take decision regarding the issue,” he said.
He said even many private universities do not submit their audit reports.
Meanwhile, Association of Non-Government Universities of Bangladesh President Sheikh Kabir Hossain demanded that the value added tax be scrapped.
“The proposed VAT will have a negative impact on guardians as they will have to bear the additional cost of education,” he said.
Professor Emajuddin Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of University of Development Alternative (UODA), demanded of the government to sanction one acre of land for each private university.
Mohammed Farashuddin, Chairperson, Board of Trustees of East West University said the government will have to give more power to the UGC to monitor private universities’ activities.
He also requested the UGC to take action against the private universities, which do not hold regular syndicate and academic council meetings.
“I’m also demanding of the government to give a play ground adjacent to the capital for the students of private universities. There is no chance to get benefit by running the private universities,” the former Bangladesh Bank governor said.
According to UGC, the private universities are failing to provide quality education to the students as their main objectives are to make money. Many private universities have opened their branches on business purpose, violating the rules set by the authorities concerned.
Some of the private universities are engaged in certificate trade in the name of providing education, and the UGC has filed cases with the court against those universities, sources added.
A UGC official said some students who are from rich families and require only certificates take admission to such universities. Even some private universities are facing ownership conflicts, he said.
The UGC job has become harder as approvals are given to private universities under political consideration.
UGC sources alleged that political influence worked behind the approval of most of the private universities in recent years.
