For more global universities

FE Team | Published: March 13, 2010 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

THIS refers to a recent statement by Education Minister to the effect that the government would have to take a decision to close down National University in future because allegations of massive corruption and irregularities were brought against the authorities concerned. An investigation is going on into the corruption and illegal activities on the part of the authorities of National University. The minister said that if corruption and irregularities were proved, government would have to shut down its operations. The comment rightly emphasised the need for having global universities in Bangladesh. We need to develop a proper mechanism to monitor public and private universities and to create an environment for developing more global universities. At a time when globalisation has become the order of the day, it is sad that there is not even one university in the country that is recognised abroad for its excellence. Promotion of knowledge must be the only objective of higher education.
All colleges and universities have two great functions: to confer, and to conceal, valuable knowledge. The theological knowledge which they conceal cannot justly be regarded as less valuable than that which they reveal. That is, when a man is buying a basket of strawberries, it can profit him to know that the bottom half of it is rotten. To enjoy freedom, if the platitude is pardonable, we have, of course, to control ourselves. We must not squander our powers, helplessly and ignorantly, squirting half the house in order to water a single rose-bush; we must train them, exactly and powerfully, here on the very spot.
Research activities are next to nil in our universities. Publication of papers in international journals are few and far between. Unless universities are fully autonomous and allowed to collaborate, we will be left far behind in higher education. Not many universities can claim autonomy and financial empowerment to function since they are either funded or controlled by the government. Consequently, they have all the aberrations of a government model, devoid of innovation and initiatives that can encourage out-of-the-box thinking. The introduction of world class universities will eliminate the huge expenses that are incurred by our youngsters to study abroad.
Gopal Sengupta
Canada
gopalsengupta@aol.com