The true growth of a country’s economy depends on the
development of a nation and its citizens as human resources and higher
education plays an inevitable role in such context. Bangladesh is also not an
exception to this.
Currently there are 50 public universities in Bangladesh
with 13,34,934 seats under 1,199 departments in 261 faculties or schools. But
this is not enough, to meet the increasing demand for higher education and
develop skilled, efficient and competent manpower the Private Universities in
Bangladesh have been playing an important role for quite some time now.
The number of private universities in Bangladesh have
increased very dramatically over the last few years. Until 2020 there were 107
approved private universities in Bangladesh. Therefore, now what matters in
this connection is not the number but the quality.
A good university must ensure quality education for its
students. But to be an international standard institution of higher education
it is not an easy job for a university. And seems like most of the universities
are failing to maintain that standard. As a results the number of students
getting admitted to a private university is decreasing.
According to the latest UGS report released in October 2021,
the total number of students in private universities in 2020 dropped to
3,28,689 from 3,49,160 in 2019. In 2018, the number of students in private
universities was 3,61,792.
Around 57 per cent of seats in the country’s private
universities remained vacant in 2019 and 64 per cent in 2020. With more than
90% vacancy rate, most of the universities are struggling to get new students.
There are three main reasons for why students are getting
less and less attracted to Private University. They are affordability, Covid
pandemic, and the quality of education.
Affordability
Getting admitted to a private university is expansive. Students
always prefer public universities to private universities also for low costs.
And the cost of higher education in a private university have increased a lot
in the last couple of years. A four years’ program in a private university can
cost up to 10 lakh taka. Which is out of reach even for a student belonging to
a middle class family.
Professor Biswajit Chanda, the UGC private university
division member, told that students even prefer reputed colleges like Dhaka
College, Government Brojomohun College in Barishal and Carmichael College in
Rangpur under the National University to private universities due to quality
and affordability.
Perween Sultana, the vice-chancellor of Central Women’s
University, in Old Dhaka’s Hatkhola area, said they were even allowing the
students now to pay in instalments. She said that this is the only private
university in Old Dhaka for female students and they also keep very low fees.
Yet they don’t get enough students, as they are mostly from low-income groups.
‘Our students even give tuition fees in instalments but due to socio-economic
reasons many of them drop out in the middle of their course period,’ she said.
As the quality is not improving and the cost is getting out
of reach, the students are becoming more and more avert from private
universities.
Covid Pandemic:
The Covid pandemic has also a big role in this regard.
Usually what happens is most of the students sit for public university exam as they
are affordable and have good quality of education. Those who don’t get chance into a public
university gets himself admitted to a private university. But after the Covid outbreak and the lockdown all the educational
institutions were closed and the HSC examination of 2020 was postponed and on 30
January 2021 all the candidates were given auto pass without taking the exam. So,
there were actually no new candidates for University admission in 2020.
Also, when the lockdown kept extending and the education
institutions remained physically closed, private universities started to
conduct all their academic activities online. But the problem was many students
who lived in the rural area and belongs to a low income family did not have
stable internet connection and proper device to do online class. As a result,
many of them dropped out and new students were discouraged to get admitted.
several vice-chancellors of private universities claimed
that the Covid-19 pandemic, socio-economic reasons and geographical locations
were the main barriers for them to attract students.
Perween Sultana, the vice-chancellor of Central Women’s
University said, Covid pandemic was another reason for the number of students
to decrease.
‘When we conduct online classes, our students from
low-income families cannot attend very often. They get less chance to use smart
devices compared to their male family members,’ she said.
Md. Shahid Ullah Talukder, the vice-chancellor of Sylhet
International University, which was established in 2001, told that the
financial strain caused by the Covid-19 pandemic reduced their number of
students.
Professor AHM Aktarul Islam, the vice-chancellor of Times
University Bangladesh, in Faridpur, which was established in 2013, also blamed
pandemic for the decreasing number of students in private universities.
Quality:
Private universities provide opportunity to receive
international level education without going abroad on market demand meeting
subjects. Violation free campus, faculty members’ quality, proper maintenance
of academic calendar, teachers’ cooperation, updated curriculum, regular class,
campus location and different modern facilities are connected with students’
satisfaction and attract them towards private universities. But, a large number
of private universities have failed to meet the fundamental requirements of
infrastructure facilities, fulltime qualified teachers, research facility,
teaching friendly environment, rich library, sufficient administrative support
and other related facilities to ensure quality education. Business motive,
financial mismanagement, poor governance, improper policy seriously affected the
quality of private universities in Bangladesh.
Professor Biswajit Chanda, the UGC private university
division member, told that the private universities were struggling to attract
students, mostly due to lack of quality.
As for private education, students prefer medical colleges
and then a few selective private universities, which are known for their
quality education, he said.
He also added that, ‘if the quality cannot be ensured it is
obvious the seats in private universities will remain vacant.’
He added that the number of private universities should be
controlled as there are too many private universities already.
private universities Bangladesh
Comment
President Mohammed Shahabuddin today asked the university authorities concerned to implement world-standard higher education.
He came up with the call when a delegation of Dhaka University led by its Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr ASM Maqsud Kamal called on him at Bangabhaban here.
During the meeting, the President was apprised by the VC of the overall activities of DU, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS in the afternoon.
The university chancellor put emphasis on the research activities in the university to make country’s higher education meaningful.
The world situation is changing rapidly due to the revolutionary development of information technology (IT), he mentioned.
The President stressed on making students competent and skilled to keep pace with the changing world.
The head of state said the overall education programme, including the curriculum should be adjusted to highlight the skills and abilities of the students in the international arena.
The DU VC informed the president that a master plan has been formulated for the overall development of the university. And it will be implemented in three phases over 15 years, resulting in major changes in the DU’s infrastructural and academic curriculum, he added.
Secretaries concerned to the Bangabhan were present on the occasion.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin Dhaka University Higher Education
Comment
Comment
Comment
Education Minister Dipu Moni said, in the previous exams we
saw that attempts were made to leak question papers at various places. But they
did not succeed. We are adopting innovative strategies and strict monitoring to
stop question leaking. However, strict action will be taken if anyone tries to
spread rumors or leak questions.
The minister said this while talking to reporters after
visiting Begum Badrunnesa Govt. Girls’ College centre in the capital on Sunday
(November 6).
Comment
The Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) and equivalent
examinations are set to begin today (November 6). Bangla first paper exam will
be held at 11:00 am on Sunday, on the very first of the schedule.
Meanwhile, special measures have been taken for dengue
patients. Also, it has been asked to sprinkle mosquito spray in and around the
center to reduce the risk of HSC candidates.
This year, 12 lakh 3 thousand 407 candidates from 9 thousand
181 educational institutions will participate in the examination in 2 thousand
649 centers. Among them, 6 lakh 22 thousand 796 are male students and 5 lakh 80
thousand 611 are female students. Last year the number of candidates was 13
lakh 99 thousand 690.
As per the scheduled, the written examination will continue
till December 13. After the written exam, practical exam will be held from 15th
December to 22nd December.
Usually HSC exam starts in April. But due to corona
situation, it was not possible to take this exam at the scheduled time. SSC and
HSC exams were postponed due to massive floods in some districts including
Sylhet.
Education Minister Dipu Moni said on October 19 that
coaching centers will be closed for 42 days across the country due to the HSC
examination. Accordingly, all coaching centers are closed since November 3,
which will continue till December 14.
Comment
Bangladesh is currently experiencing a wave of development, from the Rooppur Nuclear Project and the metro rail to the Karnaphuli Tunnel and the visible Padma Bridge. Amidst all this progress, it appears that education is being sidelined, almost as if it's the least important aspect. The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a striking ...
Vice-Chancellor (VC) is the highest-ranking official in a university, responsible for the overall administration of the institution. They are also the guardians of the students, teachers, and staff in the university. However, when VCs themselves become embroiled in controversies, misconduct, and alleged...
Education Minister Dipu Moni said, in the previous exams we saw that attempts were made to leak question papers at various places. But they did not succeed. We are adopting innovative strategies and strict monitoring to stop question leaking. However, strict action will be taken if anyone tries to spread rumors or leak questions.
The Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations are set to begin today (November 6). Bangla first paper exam will be held at 11:00 am on Sunday, on the very first of the schedule. Meanwhile, special measures have been taken for dengue patients. Also, it has been asked to sprinkle mosquito spray in and around the center to reduce the risk of HSC candidates.