Ministry to take action against 39 private varsities

Education Ministry is going to take action against 39 private universities which are yet to shift academic activities to their own campuses, a basic condition stipulated in the Private University Act 2010, sources of the ministry said.

The ministry on last Thursday has sent a letter to University Grant Commission (UGC), the statutory apex body for higher education, on holding a special meeting as the varsities failed to move their permanent campuses despite deadline was extended for five times.

However, the date of the meeting is yet to be finalized.

Earlier the ministry said that it would shut academic activities of and alert students against enrolling to the universities which failed to move to own campuses till January 2017.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said this is time to take action against the universities as we gave enough time to move to own campuses.

In a reply to a query on actions, the minister said, “It will be decided at the meeting.”

An ultimatum was issued on 24 January in the last year to the universities which didn’t buy land for campuses.

A letter, warning of actions as per laws, was sent on January 19 in the last year to those had land and construction of buildings was underway.

The third category of three categories of universities bought land but didn’t start constructing buildings. Other activities including approval of design of buildings were not satisfactory. They were also warned on January 14 in 2016 of stopping students’ admission.

The authorities of the universities want more times and lobby high level of the government, said the source. Some of the universities want land from the government.

They tried to meet Education Minister for two times but were denied.

According to the updated report of UGC, Presidency University and IBAIS University are yet to buy land. IBAIS, Premier and Sylhet International University have disputes over ownership.

There are 11 universities which construction work is underway and academic activities have partially moved. Those are: American International University (AIUB), Northern University, Dhaka International University, Leading University, University of Liberal Arts, Uttara University, Royal University, University of Information Technology of Science, Manarat International University, Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology and Asian University of Bangladesh.

Some universities’ construction is underway but yet to start academic activities. Those are: United International University, Bangladesh University, Green University, The People’s University, Southern University, Eastern University, World University, Bangladesh Islami University, East Delta University, ASA University, Central Women’s University and Prime University.

Of them, Central Women’s University and Prime University bought less amount of land than requirements.

There are 10 universities which have land and but yet to start construction of buildings. Those are: State University, Prime Asia University, Metropolitan University, Victoria University, University of Development Alternative, University of South Asia and Stamford University.

UGC Chairman Professor Abdul Mannan said, “I have directed to take necessary steps as per direction of the ministry letter. The ministry will take ultimate decision against the law violators.”

It is mentionable that 80 of 95 private universities are in operation.

(The article originally published in Bangla edition of Jagonews24.com is written in English by Zahidul Islam)