The government issued approval to six more private universities taking to 24 the number of private universities approved in the past two years.
The education ministry’s additional secretary (university) Salahuddin Akbar told New Age that the orders of approval had been issued on Sunday.The seven universities are Far East International University in Dhaka, Rajshahi Science and Technology University in Natore, North Bengal International University in Rajshahi, Sheikh Fajilatunnessa University in Jamalpur, Cox’s Bazar International University and Ranada Prasad Saha University in Tangail.
Ministry officials said that in the past week, the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, approved the proposals of the seven universities.
With the latest approvals, the number of private universities in the country reached 77. There are 34 public universities.
According to the officials, ruling Awami League leaders are linked, overtly or covertly, to the ownership of the seven universities.
Hasina’s relative Sheikh Kabir Hossain is learnt to have initiated one of the seven universities, Far East International University in Dhaka, the ministry officials said.
They said that former Rajshahi University vice-chancellor Abdul Khaleqe had lobbied for the approval for North Bengal International University in Rajshahi and whip Mirza Azam sought the approval for Sheikh Fajilatunnessa University in Jamalpur.
An Awami League leader sought approval for Cox’s Bazar International University in the resort town while a relative of an adviser to the prime minister sought approval for Rajshahi Science and Technology University in Natore.
The Kumudini Trust sought the approval for Ranada Prasad Saha University in Tangail.
The education minister, Nurul Islam Nahid, set aside the allegations of political consideration in approving the universities and said that giving approval for new universities was more or less a regular process.
He said that permissions were being given to private universities as part of the government’s plan to establish a university in each district.
-With New Age input
