Private varsities cannot run without fulfilling conditions: Nahid

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid on Tuesday said a number of private universities are yet to fulfill their conditions.

"These universities cannot run in this way for long," he said while presiding over the fourth convocation of Uttara University (UU) as the representative of President Abdul Hamid at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city, said an official release.

The minister said the private universities would have to follow `Private University Act 2010` and create congenial atmosphere for modern and time-befitting research and develop libraries and laboratories.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. Abdul Mannan was the convocation speaker while UU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. M Azizur Rahman and UU Board of Trustee Chairman M Badrul Iqbal also addressed the function.

The education minister said the number of students in private universities is one lakh more than in the public universities.

Many private universities are trying to enhance their qualities, he said, adding that the private universities would be able to attract foreign students, if they become successful.

Nurul Islam Nahid said the government does not make any different between the students of the private and public universities.

The government wants to ensure equality education for all of them, he said and urged the private university authorities to keep their admission and tuition fees within a limit in view of the socio-economic condition.

In the function, the minister awarded certificates to 3,000 graduates.