UNB, Dhaka :
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has suggested the country’s private universities to keep their various fees and charges at an affordable level so that all students, including the poor but meritorious ones, can pursue their higher education.
“The commission came to know that most private universities do not maintain their income and expenditure reports though the universities have a policy on income and expenditure under the Private University Act-2010,” the UGC said in its Annual Report-2015. The higher education watchdog also observed huge differences over admission and tuition fees, salary and allowances of teachers and other
issues in the private universities.
The commission observed that the private universities realised fees at higher rate to give students transcript, certificate and testimonials during the period. There is an allegation against private universities over raising tuition, admission and other fees every year without any logical reason.
“The commission thinks it’s a must to keep various fees and charges at a tolerable level with a view to paving the way for meritorious and poor students to pursue their higher education,” it added.
Mentioning that the bright sons of the soil scarified their blood for mother tongue on February 21, 1952, the UGC report said Bangla Language and Literature are being ignored in the education plan of the country’s private universities. “This is why the commission thinks it’s necessary to introduce courses/ programmes on comparative Bangla Language and Literature, History, Environmental Science, Political Science, Social Science, Public Administration to establish Bangla language, literature and culture in a higher position of the international arena,” it added.
According to the report, Bangla Language and Literature Departments have been set up at only 12 private universities out of 85. Stressing the need for making private university admission process more transparent, merit-based the commission said, “Moreover, it’s very urgent to follow the University Grants Commission’s guideline in recruiting teachers to private universities.”
The report recommended the appointment of a member of UGC or a professor having 20 years teaching experience as observer in each private university to bring a balance in the power of board of trustees. The Private University Act-2010 needs to be amended in this regard, it suggested.
The report also recommended taking at least three courses compulsory for students instead of existing two to involve students more in academic activities. “A good number of students of private universities are getting status of regular students by taking two courses in a semester. As a result, they’re getting much leisure time. This is why, as per the reports published in newspapers, students are getting scope to get involved in militant activities,” the report mentioned.
The report also recommended issuing directives for the private universities by the UGC to take necessary step so that any teacher, student, official or employee cannot carry out activities on campuses against the principle of the country’s constitution. On the quality of education in private universities, the report said, “A number of private universities have been able to improve their standards to a satisfactory level. As a result, students with private university degrees are being recruited by all public and private organisations, including the Public Service Commission, and discharging duties with success.”
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has suggested the country’s private universities to keep their various fees and charges at an affordable level so that all students, including the poor but meritorious ones, can pursue their higher education.
“The commission came to know that most private universities do not maintain their income and expenditure reports though the universities have a policy on income and expenditure under the Private University Act-2010,” the UGC said in its Annual Report-2015. The higher education watchdog also observed huge differences over admission and tuition fees, salary and allowances of teachers and other
issues in the private universities.
The commission observed that the private universities realised fees at higher rate to give students transcript, certificate and testimonials during the period. There is an allegation against private universities over raising tuition, admission and other fees every year without any logical reason.
“The commission thinks it’s a must to keep various fees and charges at a tolerable level with a view to paving the way for meritorious and poor students to pursue their higher education,” it added.
Mentioning that the bright sons of the soil scarified their blood for mother tongue on February 21, 1952, the UGC report said Bangla Language and Literature are being ignored in the education plan of the country’s private universities. “This is why the commission thinks it’s necessary to introduce courses/ programmes on comparative Bangla Language and Literature, History, Environmental Science, Political Science, Social Science, Public Administration to establish Bangla language, literature and culture in a higher position of the international arena,” it added.
According to the report, Bangla Language and Literature Departments have been set up at only 12 private universities out of 85. Stressing the need for making private university admission process more transparent, merit-based the commission said, “Moreover, it’s very urgent to follow the University Grants Commission’s guideline in recruiting teachers to private universities.”
The report recommended the appointment of a member of UGC or a professor having 20 years teaching experience as observer in each private university to bring a balance in the power of board of trustees. The Private University Act-2010 needs to be amended in this regard, it suggested.
The report also recommended taking at least three courses compulsory for students instead of existing two to involve students more in academic activities. “A good number of students of private universities are getting status of regular students by taking two courses in a semester. As a result, they’re getting much leisure time. This is why, as per the reports published in newspapers, students are getting scope to get involved in militant activities,” the report mentioned.
The report also recommended issuing directives for the private universities by the UGC to take necessary step so that any teacher, student, official or employee cannot carry out activities on campuses against the principle of the country’s constitution. On the quality of education in private universities, the report said, “A number of private universities have been able to improve their standards to a satisfactory level. As a result, students with private university degrees are being recruited by all public and private organisations, including the Public Service Commission, and discharging duties with success.”
