Improving the capacities of public sector universities
Saturday, 30 October 2010
THE academic environment remains very adversely affected, at times and that too not infrequently by politics of students and teachers. Other major problems include the limited number of public universities. These institutions can accommodate only partly the number of higher education seekers. The limited number of the specialized academic institutions for study and training in the emerging or non-conventional subjects, is also a big problem. The greater number of students aspiring for higher education, cannot access the same privately as they cannot afford the costs.
A report appeared sometime ago that some multinational capital donor agency/agencies would provide a loan of about US$ 100 million for the purpose of strengthening and improving the public institutions in Bangladesh that deal with higher education. The important thing is to make the best use of such loan promptly.
The public universities are strapped for funds; this can be met right away by immediately raising their various student fees and charges. The same are so low at present compared to private higher education bodies, that guardians should hardly find objectionable the raising of the fees and charges, to some extent, in the public universities. Whereas per semester tuition charge in a private university can cost at least Taka 40,000, the same is only several hundred takas in a public university. A modest raise in student fees in the public universities, to begin with, should not be looked at as causing any hardship by the guardians. But the increased fees can be of benefit to shore up the financial situation of the public universities, slowly but steadily.
Then, there are the aspects of public university teachers staying abroad in an unauthorized way. They are not discharging their duties at home. Hard decisions can be taken in these matters with a view to getting their services or to restrict more teachers from leaving. The same will not cost anything but lend positively to the teaching effort in the public universities.
Any donor-funded development programme for raising the quality of human resources at higher levels of educations loan should preferably be spent to create additional physical facilities in the public universities. Buildings and other facilities can be expanded so that it becomes possible to much increase the number of enrolment in these universities or double shifts can be introduced along with recruitment of additional teachers and staff. Steps in such direction will notably reduce the problem of admission seekers in higher education with modest financial abilities. A part of such fund may also be spent on establishing new public universities, introducing new disciplines in them and for the setting up of specialized institutions for study and training, related to the economically emerging fields.
Curriculum changes or adjustments have been pending in the public universities in some areas. Reform activities should aim to complete such changes and adjustments so that suitable human resources can be created having up-to-date knowledge and skills for application in different sectors of the economy.
A report appeared sometime ago that some multinational capital donor agency/agencies would provide a loan of about US$ 100 million for the purpose of strengthening and improving the public institutions in Bangladesh that deal with higher education. The important thing is to make the best use of such loan promptly.
The public universities are strapped for funds; this can be met right away by immediately raising their various student fees and charges. The same are so low at present compared to private higher education bodies, that guardians should hardly find objectionable the raising of the fees and charges, to some extent, in the public universities. Whereas per semester tuition charge in a private university can cost at least Taka 40,000, the same is only several hundred takas in a public university. A modest raise in student fees in the public universities, to begin with, should not be looked at as causing any hardship by the guardians. But the increased fees can be of benefit to shore up the financial situation of the public universities, slowly but steadily.
Then, there are the aspects of public university teachers staying abroad in an unauthorized way. They are not discharging their duties at home. Hard decisions can be taken in these matters with a view to getting their services or to restrict more teachers from leaving. The same will not cost anything but lend positively to the teaching effort in the public universities.
Any donor-funded development programme for raising the quality of human resources at higher levels of educations loan should preferably be spent to create additional physical facilities in the public universities. Buildings and other facilities can be expanded so that it becomes possible to much increase the number of enrolment in these universities or double shifts can be introduced along with recruitment of additional teachers and staff. Steps in such direction will notably reduce the problem of admission seekers in higher education with modest financial abilities. A part of such fund may also be spent on establishing new public universities, introducing new disciplines in them and for the setting up of specialized institutions for study and training, related to the economically emerging fields.
Curriculum changes or adjustments have been pending in the public universities in some areas. Reform activities should aim to complete such changes and adjustments so that suitable human resources can be created having up-to-date knowledge and skills for application in different sectors of the economy.