M M Jasim :
At least 90 private universities out of 95 do not follow the Private University Act-2010 as only five varsities have permanent vice-chancellors and pro-VCs and treasurers.
Most these universities are run by VC keeping pro-VC absent or by pro-VC without VC or treasurer without VC and pro-VC, University Grants Commission (UGC) sources said.
A total 25 private universities are running their academic activities without keeping any person in these three top posts (vice-chancellor, pro-VC and treasurer) on a permanent basis, though the Private University Act makes it mandatory.
Some 39 private universities are running their academic activities without a permanent vice-chancellor while the posts of pro-VC are vacant at 69 varsities and treasurer at 48 varsities.
The acting vice-chancellor, pro-VC and treasurer operate the activities of private
universities, which is directly violation of the university act.
As per section 29 (1) of Private University Act-2010, it is mandatory for the private universities to put persons in the top posts — VC, pro-VC, treasurer, registrar, dean, exam controller and proctor — on permanent basis to ensure smooth running of their administrative and academic activities.
The five private varsities which are running as per the university act are: American International University Bangladesh, University of Development Alternative, Eastern University, Metropolitan University and United International University.
The universities, which are running without the top three posts (VC, pro-VC and treasurer) on a permanent basis are: Asian University of Bangladesh, Gono University, The People’s University, Sylhet International University, Premier University, Pundro University of Science and Technology, The Millennium University, University of South Asia, University of Information Technology and Sciences, Royal University of Dhaka, East Delta University, European University of Bangladesh, Ishakha International University, ZH Sikder Science and Technology University, Chittagong Independent University, Rajshahi Science and Technology University, Cox’s Bazar International University, Randa Proshad Saha University, German University Bangladesh, CCN Science and Technology University, Army University of Science and Technology (Saidpur), Army University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh Army International University of Science and Technology, Canadian University of Bangladesh and Northern University of Business and Technology, Khulna.
Meanwhile, the UGC has sent letters to the private university authorities who have no permanent VC, pro-VC and treasurer to submit their panel lists by September 30 for appointing in the top three posts.
The UGC also asked them to select the name of qualified candidates; otherwise the list will not be approved.
An official of the UGC wishing anonymity told The New Nation that the commission would recommend the name of the skilled candidates for the three top posts of private varsities.
“If the university authorities fail to provide the lists by deadline we will recommend the Education Ministry to take stern action against them, including stoppage the varsities,” the official said.
Chairman of the UGC Professor Abdul Mannan told The New Nation that the university authorities had been asked to give the details. Then it would be recommend to the Ministry of Education to take the next step. The government will give appoint in these three positions, he said.
Meanwhile, educationists and officials of the ministry said questions have been raised about the quality of education being provided by the private universities due to vacancies in the top posts.
Many alleged that the authorities of these private varsities are keeping the key posts vacant only to save money without considering the interest of their academic activities.
Dhaka University VC Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique said that no university could run transparently without vice-chancellor.
“The post of VC and treasurer are important for any private university. I cannot realise how private varsities are functioning without keeping VC, pro-VC and treasurer,” he said.
“If qualified persons are appointed by the President as VC, Pro-VC and treasurer, then private universities can run properly and provide quality education to their students,” the DU VC added.
Helal Uddin, Additional Secretary of Education Ministry said that having permanent VC and top officials at private varsities are very important for ensuring quality education.
“This is the reason we have asked private varsities via UGC to keep government approved persons in key posts. We will not allow them to violate law anymore,” he added.
At least 90 private universities out of 95 do not follow the Private University Act-2010 as only five varsities have permanent vice-chancellors and pro-VCs and treasurers.
Most these universities are run by VC keeping pro-VC absent or by pro-VC without VC or treasurer without VC and pro-VC, University Grants Commission (UGC) sources said.
A total 25 private universities are running their academic activities without keeping any person in these three top posts (vice-chancellor, pro-VC and treasurer) on a permanent basis, though the Private University Act makes it mandatory.
Some 39 private universities are running their academic activities without a permanent vice-chancellor while the posts of pro-VC are vacant at 69 varsities and treasurer at 48 varsities.
The acting vice-chancellor, pro-VC and treasurer operate the activities of private
universities, which is directly violation of the university act.
As per section 29 (1) of Private University Act-2010, it is mandatory for the private universities to put persons in the top posts — VC, pro-VC, treasurer, registrar, dean, exam controller and proctor — on permanent basis to ensure smooth running of their administrative and academic activities.
The five private varsities which are running as per the university act are: American International University Bangladesh, University of Development Alternative, Eastern University, Metropolitan University and United International University.
The universities, which are running without the top three posts (VC, pro-VC and treasurer) on a permanent basis are: Asian University of Bangladesh, Gono University, The People’s University, Sylhet International University, Premier University, Pundro University of Science and Technology, The Millennium University, University of South Asia, University of Information Technology and Sciences, Royal University of Dhaka, East Delta University, European University of Bangladesh, Ishakha International University, ZH Sikder Science and Technology University, Chittagong Independent University, Rajshahi Science and Technology University, Cox’s Bazar International University, Randa Proshad Saha University, German University Bangladesh, CCN Science and Technology University, Army University of Science and Technology (Saidpur), Army University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh Army International University of Science and Technology, Canadian University of Bangladesh and Northern University of Business and Technology, Khulna.
Meanwhile, the UGC has sent letters to the private university authorities who have no permanent VC, pro-VC and treasurer to submit their panel lists by September 30 for appointing in the top three posts.
The UGC also asked them to select the name of qualified candidates; otherwise the list will not be approved.
An official of the UGC wishing anonymity told The New Nation that the commission would recommend the name of the skilled candidates for the three top posts of private varsities.
“If the university authorities fail to provide the lists by deadline we will recommend the Education Ministry to take stern action against them, including stoppage the varsities,” the official said.
Chairman of the UGC Professor Abdul Mannan told The New Nation that the university authorities had been asked to give the details. Then it would be recommend to the Ministry of Education to take the next step. The government will give appoint in these three positions, he said.
Meanwhile, educationists and officials of the ministry said questions have been raised about the quality of education being provided by the private universities due to vacancies in the top posts.
Many alleged that the authorities of these private varsities are keeping the key posts vacant only to save money without considering the interest of their academic activities.
Dhaka University VC Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique said that no university could run transparently without vice-chancellor.
“The post of VC and treasurer are important for any private university. I cannot realise how private varsities are functioning without keeping VC, pro-VC and treasurer,” he said.
“If qualified persons are appointed by the President as VC, Pro-VC and treasurer, then private universities can run properly and provide quality education to their students,” the DU VC added.
Helal Uddin, Additional Secretary of Education Ministry said that having permanent VC and top officials at private varsities are very important for ensuring quality education.
“This is the reason we have asked private varsities via UGC to keep government approved persons in key posts. We will not allow them to violate law anymore,” he added.
