Universities in Bangladesh

Universities in Bangladesh represent about 75 academic bodies out of a total of about 104 institutions represent the conventional higher education institution (HEI) in Bangladesh. Segmented by management and financial structure, these include 29 public universities, 56 private universities, 1 international university, 31 specialized collages, and 2 special universities. There are specialized universities in both categories offering courses principally in technological studies, medical studies, business studies and Islamic studies. There are two private universities dedicated solely to female students. The number of universities is growing mostly in and around the capital city of Dhaka.

There are about 1500 colleges organized under the umbrella of National University - one of the largest in the world. The Open University offers distance learning courses. There also is a parallel religious high-ed education system.

University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) serves as the regulatory body of all the public (government funded) and private universities of Bangladesh. The Private University Act of 1992 paved the way for vigorous sprouting of private universities. 80% of its universities are in their infancy. The country has severed shortage in higher education capacity. The country is yet to have any research and education network (REN) or digital library consortium (DLC).

Public University

Bangladesh has 26 public universities instructing the bulk of higher studies students, especially from disadvantaged classes. These universities that are funded by the Government and managed as self-governed government institutions. Public universities in Bangladesh are highly subsidized, and apart from Dhaka University are principally residential.Fact|date=June 2007

Criticism and controversy

There has been much criticism and controversial issues around public universities in Bangladesh. Public universities had become places of political unrest, agitation, battle-field and repression.cite news | last = Khan | first = Md. Mofazzal Hossain | title = Student politics cannot be allowed to continue in its present form | work = FE Education | language = English | publisher = Financial Express | date = 2007-05-26 | url = http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=5/26/2007&section_id=12&newsid=61635&spcl=yes | accessdate = 2007-07-29] 12 of the public universities were reported to employ a total of 1,994 unauthorized faculty and staff, resulting an annual overspend of 159,467,000.00 Bangladeshi taka borne by the government.cite news | last = | first = | title = 12 universities run with unauthorized staffs | work = | | pages = 1 | language = Bengali | publisher = Prothom Alo | date = 2007-07-18 | url = | accessdate = ] All were warned by the UGC, but apparently failed to respond to the warning.cite news | last = | first = | title = 12 universities run with unauthorized staffs | work = | | pages = 1 | language = Bengali | publisher = Prothom Alo | date = 2007-07-18 | url = | accessdate = ] Student unrest has resulted in session jams and delays in holding examinations. During the presidency of Hossain Mohammad Ershad (1982-90) seven to eight years were being required to complete four years courses.

Private Universities

Private universities in Bangladesh came into being after institution of the Private University Act of 1992. [ [http://www.sai.uni-heidelberg.de/workgroups/bdlaw/1992-a34.htm Act No.34 of 1992, Bangladesh Gazette Extraordinary, 9th August, 1992] ] As of 2008, over 55 of them have come into being. These universities are mostly affiliated with universities abroadFact|date=August 2007 and follow an open credit system.Fact|date=August 2007

Criticism and controversy

There has been much controversy around the private universities, and their practices. 11 universities went operational without a UGC approval which was made a necessity under the Private University Act (1992) in Bangladesh. [cite news | last = Khan | first = Siddiqur Rahman | title = 11 pvt univs offer 50 courses without UGC approval | language = English | publisher = New Age | date = 2005-01-18 | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2005/feb/18/met.html | accessdate = 2006-12-16] 27 private universities in Bangladesh were found running without a Vice-Chancellor. [cite news | last = Varsity Correspondent | first = | title = 27 private varsities running without Vice-Chancellors | language = English | publisher = The Bangladesh Observer | date = 2004-08-16 | url = http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com/new/2004/08/16/front.htm | accessdate = 2006-12-16] 10 universities were issued a deadline of one year from the UGC to improve qualities. [cite news | last = Staff Reporter | first = | title = UCG report on private varsities to be made public | language = English | publisher = The Independent | date = 2004-10-23 | url = http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/oct/23/23102004mt.htm | accessdate = 2006-12-16] Eight universities the UGC of Bangladesh recommended for shutting down due to poor quality of academic standards. [cite news | last = Ali | first = Tawfique | title = 40-45 varsities way behind prerequisites | language = English | publisher = The Daily Star | date = 2004-10-19 | url = http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/10/19/d4101901011.htm | accessdate = 2007-03-17] Some were served with show-cause notice by judicial authorities asking why it would not be closed down. [cite news | last = Khan | first = Siddiqur Rahman | title = Ministry serves notice on six private universities | language = English | publisher = New Age | date = 2005-03-01 | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2005/mar/01/met.html | accessdate = 2007-03-17] Some of these universities introduced new academic courses without UGC approval along with a number of other private universities. [cite news | last = Staff Correspondent | first = | title = Private universities continue to hoodwink UGC | language = English | publisher = Weekly Holiday | date = 2004-06-02 | url = http://www.weeklyholiday.net/2006/020606/met.html | accessdate = 2006-12-16] Some others were found to deliver instructions in unauthorized courses and have illegal campuses. [cite news | last = Hammadi | first = Saad | title = Illegal courses, mysterious outer campuses dodge universities watchdog | language = English | publisher = New Age | date = 2006-06-02 | url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jun/02/jun02/xtra_inner4.html | accessdate = 2007-03-17]

Other universities and specialized colleges

* Bangladesh Open University
* Bangladesh National University

ee also

* List of universities in Bangladesh

Footnotes

References

* [http://www.medianet.kent.edu/techreports/TR2006-02-01-UGC-REN-K.pdf A Survey of REN Initiative of Bangladesh]
* [http://www.medianet.kent.edu/techreports/TR2006-02-02-UGC-DLC-K.pdf Status of University Libraries and Proposal for A Digital Library Consortium]
* [http://www.unesco.org/iau/onlinedatabases/list_data/b-nw.html UNESCO: List of Bangladesh universities]
* [http://www.ugc.gov.bd University Grants Commission of Bangladesh]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/U_0026.htm The University Act of 1857 on Banglapedia]
* [http://a-bangladesh.com/banglapedia/HT/U_0025.htm The University Act of 1904 on Banglapedia]
* [http://edirc.repec.org/bangladesh.html Bangladesh] : Economics Departments, Institutes and Research Centers in the World
* [http://www.taimur-sharif.com/research_papers/Web%20Paper%2008.pdf UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN BANGLADESH] , Academic Quality Assessment of AIUB: An Inductive Research Approach