According to the list provided in the website for University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, around 85 private universities are operating in Bangladesh with a significant number of students. Among those universities, five or six are operating under the court’s stay order. It means that these universities have either been closed down by the government or are running unauthorised campuses.
Undoubtedly, the future of students who are studying in these universities are at stake. Naturally, questions arise about the quality of education being provided in most of these private universities. As a sizeable number of students are enrolled in these universities, the matter most definitely has a huge impact on the wider society.
Every year, a significant number of students pass through the SSC and HSC exams with grades that do not qualify them to apply for admission to public universities. Most of these students end up enrolling in private universities. Those who manage to get admission in well-known private universities have the golden opportunity of receiving a quality education. But such opportunities do not come to those who enrol in private universities, which lack qualified teachers and facilities -- requirements which are all but integral to ensuring a quality education.
Despite that fact, the enrollment of students in these universities is on the rise, and they are graduating from these universities with impressive CGPAs every year. This paints a disturbing picture in which the importance of attaining a certificate trumps the need for receiving a quality education.
Before we embark on that discussion, it should be mentioned that this problem is acknowledged by both university authorities and the students themselves. But both parties choose to turn a blind eye to it because they both benefit from it. The university gets to boast the large number of students who are graduating every year from their institutions, and the latter acquires the all-important certificate -- a symbol of pride.
This usual happy scenario will prove to be an incurable disease for the country’s development in the long run, that is, if steps are not taken to put a stop to the problem immediately, since it concerns the careers of those students in particular and overall development of the country in general.
It is a well-known fact that the quality of education has deteriorated in most private universities due to the authorities’ lack of attention on following standard procedures in hiring teachers and enrolling students as well as fostering the proper educational environment.
As for the students, most of them lack the motivation and interest to gain in-depth knowledge of the subject they are studying because of these very problems. Most students don’t even realise that a few years down the line, they might be sitting idle with a certificate in hand, struggling to find a good job or any prospects at all.
However, it goes without saying, the proper contribution of this significant pool of students who have graduated from, or are still studying in, these private universities, is necessary if we are to even think of some day developing the country to an acceptable level.
No one is more capable of bringing about change than the students of a nation -- I urge them to carefully think and decide on the career they want to follow and make the most of their education, which will eventually contribute to their own progress in life. Ultimately, it always comes down to the individual, who has to accomplish everything on his or her own.
Nevertheless, the role of the UGC in ensuring quality education for all, cannot be overlooked. The problem which has surrounded private universities and its students can come to an end if providing permission to new private universities is closely monitored by a professional team.
Instead of blaming private university authorities, the government should take strict measures in tackling the problem at its root, leaving no loopholes for universities which do not abide by the rules and regulations of the UGC to continue operating. Such actions could inspire existing private universities to step up their own internal education systems, eventually benefitting the students.
Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” To neglect education is to neglect progress itself.
