Dr Haseena Khan, a prominent researcher and retired professor at Dhaka University, has joined the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh as a full-time member. Read : UGC asks universities to follow financial regulations properly She presented her contract letter to UGC Secretary Prof Ferdous Zaman after a meeting with UGC Chairman (additional charge) Prof Mohammad Alamgir on Thursday. Read : UGC members Sajjad, Alamgir reappointed for another term Haseena is a retired professor of biochemistry and molecular sciences. The Swadhinata Padak-winning scientist was directly connected with the invention of the hilsa gene mystery and the jute gene discovery. The renowned researcher also worked as an UGC professor.

Bangladesh's President Abdul Hamid, who is also chancellor of universities, has directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to take necessary measures for holding a single admission test for all public universities for the 2023-24 session. A media release signed by Md Mahmudul Alam, joint secretary of secondary and higher education department of the Education Ministry, conveyed the directive today. Read more: Single admission test for universities from next year: Dipu Moni The release also said the public universities that earlier held admission test in the cluster method for 2022-23 session were asked to complete the admission process.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started an investigation against former vice-chancellor of Khulna Agricultural University (KAU), Dr Shahidur Rahman Khan, for his alleged involvement in irregularities in the recruitment of 426 teachers and staff members for the university. KAU authorities on Monday (January 23, 2023) submitted documents related to last three years’ recruitment to the ACC. The development came after a national daily published a report in September last year stating the irregularities in the recruitment process of Khulna Agricultural University. It said some 426 teachers and staff members were appointed for KAU against 350 students and also 43 departments were opened in just three years. Read more: Corruption in NSU’s land acquisition: Hearing on 4 trustees’ bail plea Thursday Later, the University Grants Commission (UGC) conducted an investigation and found anomalies in the recruitment. Based on the report, the education ministry on August 3 last year ordered cancellation of the appointment of 73 teachers and staff members including the relatives of the vice-chancellor. In November last year, ACC took a decision to investigate the irregularities in the recruitment process of KAU and assigned Ershad Mia, deputy director of the ACC, to lead the investigation. The investigation officer on January 2 sent a letter to the university authorities asking to submit recruitment related documents including recruitment notices, candidates' applications, and written test records by January 10. Read more: Irregularities in recruitment: PUST VC freed after 4 hours of confinement The anti-graft agency also requested university authorities to submit a probe report if any investigation was conducted previously in this connection. Later, the inquiry officer extended the deadline till January 23 following the application of university authorities. KAU Registrar Dr Mazharul Anwar on Monday submitted the documents to the investigating officer. Ershad Mia, investigating officer, said he has received some documents and these will be inspected. Read More: UGC asks 4 private universities to stop enrollment for failing to fulfill conditions

The Dhaka University Syndicate has taken a decision to admit students from other universities in regular Master's degree courses of the university, subject to the availability of seats. “Students, who have completed their graduation from any recognised (public and private) university of Bangladesh and are willing take master’s degree from Dhaka University, can apply for admission in DU if there are available seats in the department from 2022-23 academic year,” said a policy paper approved by DU syndicate recently. However, applicants from any university other than Dhaka University can apply for the masters programs in Dhaka University if the minimum requirements set by the individual departments meet as the admission process will be controlled and conducted by individual departments and institutes. Read More: ICT division partners withBrac Kumon to spread Japanese method of learning On the other hand, Dhaka University syndicate, the highest policy making authority of DU, has imposed a minimum requirement that the applicants have to obtain at least CGPA 3.25 in their bachelor program though there is no ban on age and academic session. After fulfilling all the requirements set by individual departments and institutes, applicants have to sit for a 100-mark examination and a viva voce to take final admission. The exam will be held against the available seats and top scorers will be allowed to take admission. However, foreign students can also avail this opportunity with the residential facility while Bangladeshi students will not be able to avail residential facilities as they will be considered as Non-resident. Read More: 6th convocation of Jahangirnagar University on February 25 “DU authority has removed the age and academic session ban from this program so that the students from all walks of life can avail this opportunity. In our country, we have a culture that most of our students take admission in post-graduation courses immediately after completing the bachelor’s degree but in most of the countries of the world, students do their master’s program much later. The decision has been taken to ensure inclusiveness quality education,” prof. Zia Rahman, dean of social science faculty told UNB. “As all general students do not enrol in master's programs after graduation, some seats remain available. To provide our best service, both outsider students and former DU students will get the same opportunity by paying the same tuition for the standard Master's program,” he added. Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman said, “In order to promote inclusiveness and lifelong learning opportunities for everyone, we are allowing graduates from other public universities and UGC-approved institutions to enrol in our bachelor's programs.” Read More: World keeps silent as Afghan govt stops education for women: PM Hasina “Private universities are also approved by UGC, so student, who completed the undergraduate courses, will be considered as worthy to admit to these masters’ courses and through this they will have the opportunity so take the subject they like,” he added Earlier, students other than Dhaka University could not avail the opportunity to take master’s degree from Dhaka University but for the first time DU took this academic initiative to provide and create an inter-academic, inclusive and lifelong education system.

Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday stressed the need for a quick solution to the ongoing crisis over the cluster-based admission tests of 22 general and science & technology (GST) public universities. The call came from a daylong workshop held at the UGC office to face the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution. The Innovation Wing of UGC arranged the workshop titled "Knowledge Dominates the Period of 4IR and IoT Business Applications," said a press release. “An unexpected crisis regarding the cluster admission test has created. The authorities of the 22 universities will have to find an effective solution to this crisis,” said UGC member Prof Muhammad Alamgir while addressing the event as the chief guest. Read: Pvt universities’ permanent campuses: UGC to go tough as deadline ends on Dec 31 He said the ongoing crisis can be solved if the admission process includes student-friendly aspects and the proper use of modern technology. Dr Alamgir requested the committee concerned to take appropriate steps to complete the entire admission process smoothly soon so that the students do not suffer any untoward suffering. He suggested the vice-chancellors of the universities for making efforts to ensure that a good system like such admission test won’t face question. Talking about the 4th industrial revolution, the UGC member urged the university teachers to produce graduates suitable for the 4th industrial revolution as now it is the time for frontier technology. He said the officers and employees of higher education institutes should be trained to be adapted to the technology.  “In the 4IR era, skilled people will replace unskilled people and there will be a massive change in the type of jobs,” said Dr Alamgir. Director of the IMCT Department of the Commission Mohammad Maksudur Rahman Bhuiyan presided over the workshop, while Dean of Science and Engineering School of Canadian University of Bangladesh Prof Syed Akhtar Hossain was the resource person in the event. The admission seekers fell into a trouble as the authorities have stopped the migration process from the sixth merit list of the cluster-based test. Read: UGC set to formulate policy for new public universities Since the migration process continued till the fifth merit list, the students who got chances in more than one university now have fallen into troubles to migrate to upper tier universities even though the seats are vacant. The High Court has recently issued a rule upon the authorities concerned to explain within 10 days as to why the decision of stopping migration process should not be declared illegal.

Many reputed private universities of the country are still operating under temporary arrangement, defying University Grants Commission’s repeated warnings to shift to permanent campuses.   UGC authorities said the period of temporary permit granted to them will end on December 31 this year and then it can suspend new enrolment at these universities and take legal actions against them. Fresh student enrolment and all other activities of those private universities will be suspended if they fail to move to their permanent campuses within December 31, UGC member Professor Dr Biswajit Chanda said. The commission gave the deadline as 12 years have passed after granting temporary permits to 23 private universities and most of them failed to take any significant steps to shift to their campuses or build the infrastructures necessary for it, he said. Also read: UGC set to formulate policy for new public universities The private universities are: Brac University, University of Liberal Arts (ULAB), Daffodil International University, Stamford University, State University of Bangladesh, The People's University of Bangladesh, Dhaka International University, Manarat International University, Bangladesh University, University of Development Alternative (UODA), Southeast University, Northern University Bangladesh, Green University of Bangladesh, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, The Millennium University, Presidency University, University of South Asia, Uttara University, Victoria University of Bangladesh, Prime Asia University, Royal University of Dhaka, Asha University of Bangladesh and City University. Some of these universities moved partially but most have been operating from outer campuses for years, saying that construction work is yet to be completed, according to UGC. When UGC contacted them, some of the private university authorities said they are going to seek extension while some said they are trying to follow the deadline. According to section 7(2) of Bangladesh Private University Act (2010), these private universities were granted temporary permit to operate which was valid for seven years. After that, the institutions can apply for renewal of the temporary permit if they fail to fulfil the conditions mentioned in section 9 within the period of the temporary permission. The government may renew the permission for a period not exceeding five years, subject to necessary enquiry. Earlier, the UGC sent letters to the universities which did not move to permanent campuses after the temporary permit expired. The commission later decided to set the time for the universities to respond till December 31. Prof Bishwajit said, “Of the 23 universities, many have claimed they are in the middle of moving and will have relocated by the deadline. We are assuming one or two universities will seek extension of time for five to six months for construction of infrastructure as they have started a discussion regarding this with the UGC.” But other than that, those who will fail completely to take any step regarding this, will not be allowed to admit more students in their education programmes in the coming year, he said. “No private university will be spared if they disobey UGC’s directives and compromise the quality of education,” the UGC member added. Also read: UGC warning private unis to maintain standards: Biswajit Chanda According to UGC, from January 1, 2023 these 23 universities will be considered illegal if they do not fulfil one of the conditions of temporary permit which is shifting to permanent campuses within the fixed period. Hence, the commission will take further steps against them under section 35 (7) of Bangladesh Private University Act, 2010. So far, the government has given permission to 108 private universities in the country. Of these, 99 are currently operational.

University Grants Commission (UGC) announced the activities of America Bangladesh University, a private university, illegal and suggested students not to take admission in it. The commission made the suggestion following the recommendation made by the probe committee formed to investigate about the university. The investigation report was sent to the Education Ministry on Thursday, said UGC in a press release. The activities of America Bangladesh University are creating a negative impression about the country’s higher education sector globally, said UGC. Also read: HC directs UGC to find out about pvt unis' benefits for FF children, underprivileged According to Section 12(1) of Private University Act, 2010, the university has no legal authority to conduct its activities as it failed to apply for a certificate after its temporary permit expired, said UGC member, Professor Dr Biswajit Chanda. From 2006, the university has no vice-chancellor, pro vc or treasurer appointed President and Chancellor Abdul Hamid, he said. As per section 17 and 19 of the Private Universities Act, the university's academic, administrative, financial activities, admission, examination and results and academic certificates are illegal as it has no valid syndicate and academic council, he added. In 2006, the government announced closure of America Bangladesh University due to failure to comply with the conditions of the temporary permit and ensure quality education. Also read: Britannia will be no university- UGC moves to stop new admissions The university authorities filed a writ petition with the High Court against the order and proceeded with their activities acquiring a stay order. Currently, three parties claiming to be the board of trustees of the university are operating the activities from different addresses which are not legal according to law, said UGC.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved a budget of nearly Tk 160 crore for Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia for the 2022-23 financial year. Of Tk 159.69 crore, Tk 1.42 crore (0.89 per cent) has been allocated as expenses for research this year, according to a university release. IU treasurer Prof Alamgir Hossain Bhuiya said that they had proposed a budget of Tk 210.40 crore to the UGC but it approved Tk 159.69 crore for the university. Also Read: RU student suspended for harassing teacher  

The High Court has asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) for information on the number of students at private universities availing benefits as offspring of freedom fighters, or stipends as poor or under-privileged since 2010. Besides, the court also asked the UGC to report how much money has been allotted for research by the private universities since 2010.    UGC will have to submit the information to the High Court within the next 60 days. The bench of Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order with a rule on Monday. In the rule, the court also wanted to know why the inaction of the government in implementation of a law to facilitate 6 percent of the student body at private universities from poor backgrounds should not be declared illegal.  Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, counsel for writ petitioners the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said: "According to section 9(4) of the Private Universities Act, 6 percent seats should be reserved for the children of  freedom fighters and meritorious students every year. According to section 9(6) of the law, a certain portion of the budget fixed by the University Grants Commission should be kept for research in the budget of private universities every year. These accounts must be sent to UCG. The UGC will later send the report to the ministry, and the ministry will send it to the parliamentary committee. They will take necessary action. We have tried to find out on behalf of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, and our investigation found that since 2010, no private university has met these requirements." READ: HC orders probe on ‘disappearance’ of birth and death registration info The education secretary and UGC chairman are among those made respondents of the rule and they have to explain to the court within the next four weeks.    The court has also fixed August 14 for the next hearing on the writ. Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar stood for the state. Architect Mubasshar Hussein, on behalf of CAB, filed the writ petition last week. 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Monday approved a budget of Tk 10,444.04 crore for 51 public universities of the country for 2022-23 fiscal year. The commission approved the budget at its 162th meeting held virtually with UGC Chairman (Additional) Professor Dr Dil Afroza in the chair. In the total budget of Tk 10,515.71 crore, UGC will get Tk 71.67 Crore, UGC said in a press release . Also read: UGC to bring all varsity students under digital device coverage by 2023 In the main budget for the universities, the size of the revenue budget is Tk 6,023.60 crore while the development budget is Tk 4,420.44 crore for 40 projects. In fiscal 2022-23, the allotted budget for the public universities has increased Tk 937.80 crore from the previous year. Also read: Cluster admission tests to be held in 32 universities in 2021-22 session: UGC In this fiscal, Dhaka University will get the highest revenue budget of Tk 864.94 crore while Sheikh Hasina Medical University, Khulna will get lowest Tk 3.83 crore. In the main budget Tk 150 crore has been allotted for research under UGC and public University which is Tk 32 crore more than the previous year.