Dhaka: Stressing the need for the involvement of private sector in expanding higher education, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Abdul Mannan said the entrepreneurs of private universities must stick to their purpose to ensure quality education.

“The entrepreneurs will have to keep in mind that a private university is not a place of making money. It’s not a business entity…It’s not a grocery shop. They shouldn’t expect any return as they’re working for public welfare,” Abdul Mannan said in an interview with news agency UNB.

Some universities are doing so but the number is limited, he said adding, “I want to say with sorrow that some entrepreneurs consider private university as their main business.”

When it comes to research in private universities, the UGC chairman said, it is very frustrating. “Some universities even didn’t allocate a single penny for research activities in 2015. Some private universities aren’t interested in research activities as they want to use those as business entities,” he added.

In reply to a question over the standard of the private universities at the district level, he said, “It’s a big challenge to ensure quality and maintain it in the private universities at the district level.”

Those who establish private universities are interested to enroll many students and open many departments overnight, said Prof Abdul Mannan adding, “We instruct them to start with six departments and keep the number of students limited. After one year we can suggest them how to proceed evaluating their competency.”

According to UGC report-2015, five universities did not hold the meetings of board of trustees, while 15 did not hold syndicate meetings, 13 did not hold academic council meetings and 13 didn’t hold financial committee meetings.

When asked citing the report about the action for non-compliance of UGC’s guidelines, he said, “We inform the ministry in this regard. If we want to do anything, universities file case against the UGC action.”

Darul Ihsan University is the big example in this regard. The government shut it in 2006 but the university continued its activities over next 10 years by filling a case, the UGC chief said.

About UGC powers, he said most institutions like the UGC in this region have the executive power. “But we don’t have executive power. We generally advise the education ministry. But it’s seen that they can’t execute those as they’re burdened with many activities.”

He went on saying “We can’t do anything for legal limitations. But we want that there’ll be measures in the relevant law for non-compliance of UGC rules by the universities. The law must be changed completely to make the UGC effective. The commission needed to be reformed to increase its capacity.”

About teacher recruitment process to public universities and their training, he said, “A student with excellent academic background can be a good researcher. But some additional qualities are needed to become a teacher.”

But there is no arrangement for teacher training at the university level though training is provided to teachers at primary, secondary and college levels, he said adding, “We want such an institution at the university level to improve the quality of teachers.” 

About the political consideration in recruiting teachers to public universities, Prof Mannan said, “I can’t say political consideration isn’t there. But we shouldn’t compromise with merit under any circumstances.”

Mentioning that the alleged involvement of some private university teachers in militancy a matter of concern, he said, “All stakeholders will have to remain alert in recruiting teachers. We’ll have to recruit such people who have the capacity to influence 10 persons positively.”