Streamlining private universities

The ministry of education, after scrutinising the PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy) of several post-graduates from the country's private universities, last week declared such degrees as null and void. As a matter of fact, no private university in the country has so far received government  approval to award PhD degrees. The doctorate degrees these universities conferred to the students have, thus, no legal basis.  
There are 77 private universities in the country approved by the education ministry and the University Grants Commission (UGC). There are allegations that some of these universities indulge in 'certificate business' and confer PhDs in a short time in exchange of a good deal of money.
The government never gave approval to any institution to establish branches of foreign universities in Bangladesh or run their curriculum in collaboration with any local university. But such branches are being opened in blatant violation of the existing rule.
Foreign universities have also been barred from running PhD programmes through distance learning or with the help of any private university in Bangladesh. But awarding PhD degrees through such programmes is continuing unabated.
On the other hand, 'certificate business' is allegedly rampant in some of the private universities, making it difficult even for the government to control the private-sector educational institutions. Reports say the ministry and the UGC have become helpless against the illegal activities of the private universities.
For controlling the private universities, a proposal was submitted to the government to enhance the capacity of the UGC, operating mobile courts for shutting down unauthorised campuses and giving the power of executive magistrates to education ministry officials for dealing with irregularities in such educational institutions. The decision is still pending.
According to the UGC report, many private universities are rendering below-standard teaching to the students but are charging illogical tuition fees.
Many private varsities are also said to be involved in financial irregularities and withdrawing money from FDR (Fixed Deposit Receipt) illegally.
Some 18 private universities lodged cases against the UGC and education ministry. Many such varsities are operating their regular business by obtaining stay-orders from the court on the governments ban.
Some 17 universities have established their own campuses within five years of their establishment. Most of the private universities are yet to move to their own campuses, which they were supposed to do within seven years after establishment. Nine private universities are operating unauthorised campuses. Most of the university campuses are small in size, members of the board of trustee are divided, and they often remain locked in legal battles against each other.
There are shortages of required number of teachers in proportion to students in some private universities. Many teachers also lack experience and efficiency. The UGC report said most of the private universities of the country are not following the guidelines of Private University Law-2010.
Very recently, a parliamentary watchdog committee expressed concern over alleged irregularities in the private universities and alleged involvement of a section of officials of the education ministry and the UGC in the irregularities. The watchdog recommended that the education ministry and the UGC should take strict measures to curb the irregularities in private universities.
The education minister admitted that there were some irregularities in some private universities. He said the ministry and the commission had authority to recommend appointment of administrator in any private university but finally the chancellor will take the decision.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), in a recent report, raised allegations of irregularities and corruption in private-university sector. It said a nexus of private university authorities, officials of the UGC and the education ministry were involved in irregularities and corruption.
The TIB survey found illegal transactions in private universities at every stage - from getting approval for launch to distribution of certificates.
The report found that approval of a private university involved illegal transactions ranging between Tk 1.0 million and Tk 3.0 million. More handsome amounts of money, it alleged, are transacted for fake certificates, audit reports, getting approval for appointment of vice-chancellors, pro vice-chancellors and treasurers. Tk 50,000-Tk 0.1 million is given for inspection to get approval of a university, it was further alleged.
According to the report, while millions of taka have changed hands for big issues such as getting approval for universities, amounts as small as Tk 500 have been exchanged for matters such as ensuring passing marks for students.
One of the key findings of the TIB study is that one of the universities in question allegedly awarded certificates to 300 students without actually taking any class and examination in exchange for Tk 0.3 million for each certificate.
Private universities are supposed to be non-profit institutions but owners of some of these universities have allegedly turned those into commercial organisations depriving students of quality education. However, the education minister and UGC bosses have denied there were corruption and irregularities in private universities.
Analysts say all private universities should not be bracketed together. Unlike public universities which are all similar, private universities were different from each other. They suggested strong monitoring and accused the authorities concerned of not being sincere enough about monitoring.
The past caretaker government formulated a private university ordinance in a bid to replace the existing law with a more stringent one. The present government, after coming to power, had formulated its own draft law instead of passing the caretaker government's ordinance in parliament.
In spite of all such allegations, the role of the private universities in promoting higher education can't be dismissed. Limited number of seats in the public universities cannot cater to the needs for the country's higher education. Private universities are meeting such demands.
Like private universities, public universities are also reported to be involved in irregularities and corrupt practices in violation of rules. It is alleged teachers of many public universities also do full-time jobs in many private universities. Some of them take long leave and join private universities to earn fabulous amounts of money. Standard of education is equally poor in the public universities, albeit with the exception of a few ones.
All said and done, private universities are definitely emerging as alternative institutions for higher studies in the country. The government needs to streamline the operational activities of the private universities so that they render quality education to their students.
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