M M Jasim :
UGC in its 144th Meeting on June 9, 2016 took a decision to make two courses of History one is the emergence of independent Bangladesh and the other is Bangla Language and Literature – mandatory in every department of all universities across the country. As part of the UGC decision, these two courses have been included in all semesters starting from 2017.
Sources said, University of Liberal Arts, South East University, Uttara University, Fareast University, University of Development Alternative, Asian University of Bangladesh, Shanta Mariam University of Creative Technology, Gano University and Central Women’s University introduced the Bangla Bangla language, culture and history in their courses.
UGC Chairman Professor Abdul Mannan said, “People, who do not know about their nation and culture, are like refugees living in their own country. It is imperative to teach the younger generation about Bangladesh’s history, language and culture.”
He said,”Under this notion, we (the UGC) have decided that these two courses should be made mandatory in every university of Bangladesh.”
“A limited number of private institutions have already introduced courses on Bangla language and culture, while some others were considering the move,” he said.
About English medium process in the private universities, the UGC Chairman said, “English, however, remains the dominant academic language in the 51private universities of the country. At the same time, educationists consider it unwise to neglect Bangla, although they acknowledge the importance of English.”
The UGC sources said, the private universities are being run by the Private University Act -2010. The Act does not make Bangla language, culture and history for the private universities mandatory. That is why, the UGC has no direct power to pressure to introduce it. It just can request.
On the other hand, all the public universities have the Bangla department except the specialised university, the sources said.
Meanwhile, a number of academicians believe that the current students lack patriotism and love for Bangla language due to the absence of subjects on the origin of Bangladesh as an independent nation, and its literature and history in higher education curricula.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Dhaka University Professor Muhammad Samad said, “I think Bangla should be the main academic
language in Bangladesh. When we speak in another language, we decode it into the mother tongue in our minds.”
“It will be regrettable for us if the universities show their reluctance to introduce Bangla language, culture and history. The government must ensure it as early as possible,” he said.
UGC in its 144th Meeting on June 9, 2016 took a decision to make two courses of History one is the emergence of independent Bangladesh and the other is Bangla Language and Literature – mandatory in every department of all universities across the country. As part of the UGC decision, these two courses have been included in all semesters starting from 2017.
Sources said, University of Liberal Arts, South East University, Uttara University, Fareast University, University of Development Alternative, Asian University of Bangladesh, Shanta Mariam University of Creative Technology, Gano University and Central Women’s University introduced the Bangla Bangla language, culture and history in their courses.
UGC Chairman Professor Abdul Mannan said, “People, who do not know about their nation and culture, are like refugees living in their own country. It is imperative to teach the younger generation about Bangladesh’s history, language and culture.”
He said,”Under this notion, we (the UGC) have decided that these two courses should be made mandatory in every university of Bangladesh.”
“A limited number of private institutions have already introduced courses on Bangla language and culture, while some others were considering the move,” he said.
About English medium process in the private universities, the UGC Chairman said, “English, however, remains the dominant academic language in the 51private universities of the country. At the same time, educationists consider it unwise to neglect Bangla, although they acknowledge the importance of English.”
The UGC sources said, the private universities are being run by the Private University Act -2010. The Act does not make Bangla language, culture and history for the private universities mandatory. That is why, the UGC has no direct power to pressure to introduce it. It just can request.
On the other hand, all the public universities have the Bangla department except the specialised university, the sources said.
Meanwhile, a number of academicians believe that the current students lack patriotism and love for Bangla language due to the absence of subjects on the origin of Bangladesh as an independent nation, and its literature and history in higher education curricula.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Dhaka University Professor Muhammad Samad said, “I think Bangla should be the main academic
language in Bangladesh. When we speak in another language, we decode it into the mother tongue in our minds.”
“It will be regrettable for us if the universities show their reluctance to introduce Bangla language, culture and history. The government must ensure it as early as possible,” he said.
