This shocking revelation once again questions the validity, quality and the credibility rendered by these private universities in Bangladesh. The UGC list also clearly shows that at least 20 of these private universities are devoid of VCs for a long time. The question automatically arises – why weren’t they sent legal notices and asked for explanations and penalised accordingly?
The truth is – most of these universities are owned by very wealthy and politically well-connected businessmen to whom running a university is pure business where the application of the theory less cost and high profit has become rampant. Not that they are unaware of law, but they would operate with the lowest possible investment – even if it means – to run a university without a VC or a treasurer.
On the topic of appointing Vice Chancellors, the UGC is reported to have urging the private university authorities for more than the last seven months to send a panel proposal to have VCs appointed by the President. But most of these universities at fault have not responded positively so far. Ranging from operating in hired campuses, to being run by poor quality teachers our private universities are riddled with many other problems. It’s time the UGC constantly monitors their operational activities at a much deeper length. Rather amazingly, despite a series of proven irregularities the authorities of private universities seem to be indifferent to their defects by not following instructions of the UGC. This isn’t only a mark of sheer audacity, but also a sign of mocking the regularity authority. The situation wouldn’t have become so bad, had the UGC only reprimanded these law defying institutions right on time.
We don’t want this prevailing disorder to ruin our private universities. More than the UGC, it’s up to the owners and administrators of these universities to decide whether they will follow system and discipline by showing respect to the laws of the land. Unfortunately, despite repeated warnings on several issues there is little reform to note as yet.
Setting-up universities should not be a money making venture , and its owners should not by any means compromise their vitally important positions , such as the post of Vice Chancellors or treasurer posts vacant in order to cut down costs. Moreover, there is no dearth of eminent and eligible individuals to fill these posts in Bangladesh.
Lastly, if the UGC is anyhow failing to regulate these objectionable universities we expect it to address its limitations and weaknesses while strengthening its authoritative powers. Now it has become the need of the minute for ensuring discipline and order within the highest level of our privately controlled education sector.
