No new department without own campus, says education ministry

Private universities, which failed to shift to their own campus will no longer be allowed to open further departments.
According to the Private University Act, it is mandatory to own a campus within five years of opening, a condition which only nine out of 54 private universities managed to adhere.
The education ministry yesterday took the decision at a meeting with the Association of Private University of Bangladesh (AUPB) and University Grants Commission (UGC) at the Secretariat.
The ministry has given those institutions a deadline of three weeks to come up with a tentative date regarding shifting to their own campuses based on which the ministry would make its decision.
“We all agreed that no new department should be opened in the universities which failed to meet the criteria even after 10 to 12 years of their launch,” said Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid after the meeting.
“We cannot give them unlimited time,” he said, adding that, “We gave them a period of three weeks to come up with an answer, based on which we will decide along with AUPB.”
The ministry will also set up an accreditation council soon which will rank the universities to monitor the quality of education provided, Nahid said.
UGC Chairman Prof Nazrul Islam said the commission is carrying out a survey for ranking universities based on some indicators.
“The President has directed to make an annual evaluation of the universities,” he said.
The UGC will frame a policy for the teachers of public universities taking classes in the private ones to ensure that the teacher delivers quality education to the students of public universities.
“Sometimes, the public university teachers also working at private universities devote them more time and attention while they make the students of public institutions feel deprived,” he said.
A new private university act is being prepared based on which the government would approve new universities, said the minister.
“The universities which are operating at rented premises will move eventually, as they are simply ignoring the law,” Nahid said.
The meeting also agreed that no new university would be established in Dhanmondi residential area from now on.
When inquired regarding location of the campuses, he referred to the act, saying,“The act mentions where a university can be established.”
No university will be permitted to be located beside VIP roads, in residential areas and important public places, said sources at the ministry.
Nahid said the government would soon reform the UGC.
“We will not let anyone to do business in the name of education and won’t hesitate to try those under the existing criminal laws,” he said.
It was also decided in the meeting that the universities need to obtain the ministry’s approval for opening outer campus or branches of foreign universities.
Regarding the rumours of militant activities in the universities, the minister said he would inquire into the matter and ask the authorities concerned to take appropriate action if found guilty.
About the issue of having two “vice chancellors” in Darul Ihsan University, the minister said they will take action as per the act. “We will keep in mind the students’ interests before we make any decisions.”

Courtesy of The Daily Star