3 more public universities in the offing

The government has planned to establish three more public universities and add three more private universities to a large number of varsities under private venture to take in rising numbers of students for higher education.
“Government approval of the planned universities is in the final stage of processing,” University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Nazrul Islam told UNB yesterday.
The three in the public sector are: Rangamati University of Science and Technology in the hill district of Rangamati, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib University in Gopalganj and another in Barisal which is yet to be named.
The three proposed private universities are: Exim University Bangladesh, BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, and Dhaka University of Technology, according to UGC officials.
Asked about the high-powered committee for redistribution of colleges under the National University, Prof Nazrul said the panel may extend its timeframe by three more months to submit its report to the government.
“We try to work in consistence with the newly constituted national education policy formulation committee to submit our report,” said the UGC chairman.
He informed that the committee was formed to redistribute the 1,800 graduate and postgraduate colleges in six regions of the country for smooth conduct of higher education under the affiliating university.
“The committee also proposed to establish the National University as a full-fledged university,” he said.
Asked about control over the mushrooming private universities, the UGC chairman said after passage of the Private University Ordinance into a law in the next parliament session, they can be able to impose some restrictions on different issues, like tuition fee hike and ask for enhancing infrastructure and educational facilities.
Nazrul said the ordinance was promulgated by the past caretaker government and published as gazette notification, but it had been back to the UGC for a revision in consultation with all stakeholders.
“We are going to arrange a meeting with the guardians, teachers and governing bodies of the private universities and educationists this month,” he added.
The new legislation, one of the reform measures, is meant for upgrading the standard of education in the private universities at affordable costs as well as bringing them under proper management. 
 
Courtesy of The Daily Star