Public universities need a shot in the arms
Sunday, 24 August 2008
A K M Nurul Huda
POLITICS of students and teachers has long been plaguing the academic environment of public universities. With their limited number, such universities can admit only a part of higher education-seekers. The limited number of the specialised academic institutions offering education and training in the emerging or non-conventional subjects, is also a big problem. A greater number of students aspiring for higher education, cannot access to higher education at the private universities as they cannot afford the costs.
Thus, it is heartening to note that the caretaker government is taking an interest in reforming higher education. An FE report sometime ago stated that a multilateral capital donor would provide a loan of US$ 100 million for the purpose. The important thing is to make the best use of this proposed loan promptly. The caretaker government should complete the contemplated reforms before leaving office. It is not expected to continue in office after 2008. Otherwise, the reforms may once again hit snags with a politically elected government. The present caretaker government is better suited to push through such reforms.
The reforms do not require any expenditures. The reforms ask for restricting campus politics by law. But it should be done in a manner that governments in future feels obliged to follow the changes. The public universities, strapped for funds, can right away raise their various student fees and charges. The fees and charges are very low compared to those of the private universities. The guardians should not object to raising the fees and charges substantially. Whereas per semester tuition charge in a private university can cost Taka 40,000 or so, it is only a few hundred taka for a public university. Even a hundred per cent raise in the fees in the public universities should not be considered a burden by the guardians. But the increase in the fees can financially shore up the public universities. The question of public university teachers, allegedly, illegally overstaying abroad needs to be addressed. A decision is needed to get such teachers back and stop more teachers from leaving. Without cost anything, it would help improve teaching in the public universities.
The proposed loan by the multilateral capital donor should preferably be spent to create additional physical facilities in the public universities. Building and other facilities can be expanded to increase student intake in these universities. Double shifts can be introduced, and more teachers can be recruited to teach more students. This can reduce the problem of admission seekers in higher education with modest financial abilities. A part of the loan may also be spent on establishing new public universities with new disciplines and specialised courses to provide education and training on economically emerging fields.
Curriculum changes or adjustments in some areas have been pending with the public universities. Such changes and adjustments should be completed to facilitate the creation of human resources with up-to-date knowledge and skills for application in different sectors of the economy.
POLITICS of students and teachers has long been plaguing the academic environment of public universities. With their limited number, such universities can admit only a part of higher education-seekers. The limited number of the specialised academic institutions offering education and training in the emerging or non-conventional subjects, is also a big problem. A greater number of students aspiring for higher education, cannot access to higher education at the private universities as they cannot afford the costs.
Thus, it is heartening to note that the caretaker government is taking an interest in reforming higher education. An FE report sometime ago stated that a multilateral capital donor would provide a loan of US$ 100 million for the purpose. The important thing is to make the best use of this proposed loan promptly. The caretaker government should complete the contemplated reforms before leaving office. It is not expected to continue in office after 2008. Otherwise, the reforms may once again hit snags with a politically elected government. The present caretaker government is better suited to push through such reforms.
The reforms do not require any expenditures. The reforms ask for restricting campus politics by law. But it should be done in a manner that governments in future feels obliged to follow the changes. The public universities, strapped for funds, can right away raise their various student fees and charges. The fees and charges are very low compared to those of the private universities. The guardians should not object to raising the fees and charges substantially. Whereas per semester tuition charge in a private university can cost Taka 40,000 or so, it is only a few hundred taka for a public university. Even a hundred per cent raise in the fees in the public universities should not be considered a burden by the guardians. But the increase in the fees can financially shore up the public universities. The question of public university teachers, allegedly, illegally overstaying abroad needs to be addressed. A decision is needed to get such teachers back and stop more teachers from leaving. Without cost anything, it would help improve teaching in the public universities.
The proposed loan by the multilateral capital donor should preferably be spent to create additional physical facilities in the public universities. Building and other facilities can be expanded to increase student intake in these universities. Double shifts can be introduced, and more teachers can be recruited to teach more students. This can reduce the problem of admission seekers in higher education with modest financial abilities. A part of the loan may also be spent on establishing new public universities with new disciplines and specialised courses to provide education and training on economically emerging fields.
Curriculum changes or adjustments in some areas have been pending with the public universities. Such changes and adjustments should be completed to facilitate the creation of human resources with up-to-date knowledge and skills for application in different sectors of the economy.