Contemporary progression is knowledge-induced. Continuous advancements in the fields of technological, scientific, communicational, infrastructural, and socio-economic knowledge have created a knowledge-based world.
Today, we live in a world that realizes the most effective factor of production is human capital infused with knowledge, skills, creative abilities, moral qualities, and the list goes on and on. The primary method of gaining and assessing this knowledge is through higher education offered by different universities and colleges.
However, are higher education institutes really providing meaningful and quality knowledge to their students?
In the Ranking Web of Universities of July 2021 and the World University Rankings 2022 of Times Higher Education, Bangladeshi higher education institutes did not perform well. Higher education simply means education at the tertiary level, which is being offered in the universities via undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. While it is true that the country has made great strides in accomplishing many socio-economic indicators, the higher education sector requires much improvement.
The current state of higher education in Bangladesh is at crossroads and filled with various obstacles. Over the years, colleges and universities have been dependent on traditional economic models to sustain. In the case of private institutions, that meant enrolling a stable number of tuition-paying students.
For public institutions, it meant getting consistent state appropriations, including tuition revenue. The changing economy and the Covid-19 pandemic have impacted the reliability of traditional models, putting pressure on institutions to re-adjust their strategies.
Thus, obstacles must be dealt with strong policies like presenting contemporary teaching methods using problem-solving and critical thinking methods.
In short, it is safe to say that the higher education system requires reformation.
With higher education institutes more focused on job preparation rather than skill development, there is no wonder that employers are witnessing a decline in employees' foundational skills. Essential skills such as communication, critical analysis, time management, and essential soft skills seem to be missing in degree programs that narrowly choose to focus on particular occupational training.
This gigantic foundation skill gap has become a prevalent issue for employers. These institutes' struggle to produce employable graduates is causing high unemployment rates among tertiary graduates, resulting in prolonged frustration of job losses for many.
In addition to that, Bangladesh heavily lacks the collaborative research culture that promotes innovation and competitiveness. Cooperative research raises numerous skills and shows a significant growth in both the institutions' and students' performance.
It can support the students' will to improve themselves with a unique approach and can make the knowledge gaining aspect much more interesting. Therefore, higher educational institutes should curate a curriculum that does not follow rote-learning methods to ensure students remain involved and continue higher education.
Quality higher education provides the foundation for industry-oriented competence for graduates. Hence, the higher education system must make amendments in all areas, from the basic curriculum planning to the external educational aspects.
One method that may help raise a university's quality of education is by introducing technological advancements, such as adopting digital learning. Utilizing technology will foster an efficient and engaging education. Apart from that, such institutions can also invest in state-of-the-art facilities on the campus to make the overall educational environment more exciting.
With the economy advancing towards modernization, the need for quality higher education has never been more profound. Nowadays, parents and students are more inclined towards attaining global standard education. High-quality international standard education vastly enhances education quality through innovative methods, resulting in better academic performance, healthy competition, and improved satisfaction.
Despite the increasing demand for foreign education, many are unable to accomplish the “abroad education” dream. This is mainly because students who choose to study in international universities are dependent on their families for a stable source of payment. Most families are unable to fully sponsor their children's education when it comes to going abroad for higher education.
To solve this problem, we need to create an ambience where there will be ample opportunities for the students to seek quality higher education, with prospects of foreign education as well. Moreover, as things are changing very fast, it is wiser to open up new windows for the students so that they get exposure to global curriculum followed worldwide at different universities.
As for example, there is only one study center very recently developed to prepare the applicants to get admission at different higher educational institutions, home and abroad. And to prepare them for the challenges to be faced during their tenure at the universities in their future.
Universal College Bangladesh (UCB), an exclusive partner of Monash College, Australia, and the only Ministry of Education-approved study center, is running programs following global curriculum and helping students prepare for global education in different international institutes. More opportunities like this one are necessary to widen the scope of higher education for aspiring students.
Higher education institutes act as a fundamental building block that foster innovation, competitiveness, and survival, especially in this new era. Key trends, emerging technologies, and innovative practices are shaping the future of teaching and learning in a great manner.
If the country does not keep up with these evolving educational patterns, higher education institutions may not be able to prepare students properly for their future. The good news is international education of top-most quality is emerging in the country through study centers like Universal College Bangladesh that help equip students with world-class education practices.
So, both public and private universities and these study centers must come together to uplift the overall quality of the higher education sector in Bangladesh.
Dr Farheen Hassan is an Associate Professor at a private university in Bangladesh.