Tertiary Education | Articles on Education of Bangladesh | Articles on Education of Bangladesh

Private university now occupies a significant space in the sphere of higher education in Bangladesh upholding a reality. Over the years these institutions moved from being a filler in the vacuum created by dearth of seats in public universities. Still 'private university education' is frowned upon. Dr. Nurul Islam-VC-Eastern University says, ‘there is no education as private education, no invidious distinction per se between private and public university education. Some people say private university students are self-centered, have no social commitments or higher motivation outside their worldly wise pursuit of knowledge. This is not correct. They have their own sense of social responsibilities. People pay taxes and from their money the government subsidies the education of students of public universities .But an overwhelming number of students now study in private universities who as the same tax payers children -also deserve an equal share of government's education grants, subsidies, scholarships and other facilities. They get neither of them. Dr. Carmen Z Lamana, the Vice-Chancellor of AIUB comments on the private university thus, “We have to update our draft curriculum to UGC for approval. It takes five to six months to get them approach thanks to all the bureaucratic tangles and red-tapeism. So by the time a curriculum is approved, another updating in quick succession becomes necessary. Such a booming sector cannot be left ignored and unattended.” Some two lakh students are currently studying in the private universities of Bangladesh. Some foreign students are also enrolled here.

MASUM BILLAH

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Jagannath University witnessed a sad incident which ensued from the section 27/4 of Jagannath University Act 2005. The Act says that the university will be run by its own income after enjoying five years of public finding. Things are not unknown to the pupils enrolled in the university, to the teachers and the guardians. Even then, why did it happen? The students went berserk and rampaged many cars and vehicles creating a huge chaos. They vandalized many buses creating a threatening situation. The authorities should have been prepared as they were quite aware of the time to end public time funding of the university . The Jagannath University authorities on 29 September 2011 held a top-level  meeting to come out of the stalemate at the university  while the students  at a press conference in Dhaka University  declared a peaceful demonstration during the puja vacation to press home their demands which include amendment to the Section 27/4 of the Jagannath University Act, withdrawal of all the cases against the students and journalists, recovery of 12 dormitories  from illegal  occupiers  and solutions to the students’ accommodation and transport problems.The meeting presided over by Jagannath University VC Dr. Mesbahuddin Ahmed in the presence of deans, teachers, departmental heads, officials and staff at the university’s central auditorium decided that authorities will get in touch with top government officials by October 9 when classes resume about cancellation of the section 27/4 of Jagannath University  Act 2005. The Act stipulates an end to public funding for Jagannath beyond July 2012 and issue that has sparked off the student agitation.The authorities will construct three dormitories  and rent at least two buildings near the  campus to provide accommodation to the students  within one year. Sources at the meeting said the three halls  including one for female students  would be  built on lands to be gained  through recovery of occupied dormitories and a playfield of the university . They are Bani Bhaban on Pyaridas Road and Dr. Habibur Rahman Hostel in Golok Paul Lane and the Dhupkhola Math.

An article appeared in the daily Kalerkantho of September 04, 2011 produced by a Bangladesh professor in the USA which drew my attention. The heading of the article goes such “The Vice-Chancellors of public universities of Bangladesh want the status of MPs, why?” He has also mentioned that the government of Bangladesh has given the status of state-minister to the chairman of the UGC. The writer asks whether the government has given it willingly or the chairman of the UGC asked for it is not known to us. He was a professor, VC and is an educationist. The responsibility of the chairman is to review the budget regarding administrative and academic works of the universities. Can it be comparable to the status of state-minster? The status of a professor, chairman of UGC or VC to the students, guardians, educators, educationists and the people  more than a minster. Minister is not an expert or educationist but he is. A university is the centre of excellence, centre of learning and research. In the universities Teachers discover new theories, build knowledge and distribute it among the learners who gather here from different corners of the country. But the works, responsibilities and duties of an MP are different. The status between them cannot be evaluated using the traditional way or applying traditional belief or sense. Renowned educationist Dr. Malik Khasru said, “A university is not meant for  average  people, it’s for scholars only.“ A VC is a guide, philosopher, leader. All the creative activities centre round a Vice-Chancellor. He is the supervisor of creative people and makers. He himself is an institution. He is a monarch of his state. An MP is supposed to make laws of the country, listens to the problems of the people of his areas. When a teacher is rebuked by any police or any other organization hundreds and thousands of students willingly protest it. It hardly happens in case of an MP. So, their status cannot be equalized or considered in terms of the state run designations.