The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed Britannia University, Comilla to stop admitting any new students under any of the varsity’s dubious academic programs.
A notice was issued in this regard on Sunday, signed by Md Omar Faruque, director of the Private University Division of UGC.
On a recent excursion to Comilla, the commission found Britannia falling hopelessly short in almost criterion required by universities.
The number of teachers is inadequate, it lacks qualified teachers, there is no research, it has no educational campus, the library is useless, and all its curricula are expired.
In a further shock, even the legal authority appointed by the chancellor is said to be absent. This means, from the opening of Britannia University in 2017 to date, it does not have a vice chancellor (VC), pro-VC or a treasurer.
According to sections 18 and 20 of the Private University Act, 2010, syndicate and academic councils are responsible for admission, education, taking exams and publishing results of the private university.
Section 17 of the law says the VC appointed by the chancellor and the president following section 31 is the president of the syndicate and academic council.
The notice said, in absence of the VC appointed by the chancellor, all the exams taken and results published by a private university would be legally invalid.
The Syndicate and Academic Council meetings presided over by someone else than the VC had no legal validity, it added.
For this reason, Britannia University authorities have been instructed in writing to suspend the admission of new students to all programs until further notice by the commission.
