Higher educational institutions across the world are busy innovating and building skilled graduates in preparation for the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). But most undergraduate-level students in Bangladesh are sticking to arts subjects.
According to the University Grants Commission Bangladesh (UGC) Annual Report 2022, only 13 per cent of students enrolled in science, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biology, engineering and technology disciplines.
The segment of students’ enrolment in arts, social sciences, business studies and other disciplines stands at 87 per cent.
But the good news is that the percentage of science, technology, pharmacy and agriculture students at private universities is satisfactory as the number is also higher than in public universities.
Around 64 per cent of students have enrolled in science, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biology, engineering, and technology disciplines. Besides, 22 per cent of students enrolled in business discipline, and the rest of the 14 per cent are from humanities and social sciences.
The private universities – especially the reputed ones such as the North South University, BRAC University, Independent University Bangladesh, United International University, American International University Bangladesh, Daffodil International University, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology and some others – are doing good research as well.
According to UGC’s latest annual report, the country’s top ten public universities spent Tk 74 crore for research in 2022, while the top ten private universities spent Tk 175 crore for the same purpose.
BRAC University is the highest spender on research among both private and public institutions. The university spent Tk 59 crore on research, which is almost near the top ten public universities’ research funds combined.
Moreover, the curriculum of private universities continuously changes with the demand of the job market.
According to the “Tracer Study of Graduates of Universities in Bangladesh” conducted by BIDS in 2019, the difference could possibly be explained by the fact that private universities generally make quick updates of curricula with the changing market needs.
The study also finds that more male graduates of private universities are found to be self-employed than public universities, and although the majority of the employed graduates in the sample serve the multinational sector, private university graduates get more multinational sector jobs than public university graduates.
The study revealed that effective links with industry players make the career pathway easier for private university students. Private universities are also providing internship opportunities in private institutions in the country for their students.
As a result, the gap between academia and businesses is reduced.
These are the factors that keep private university graduates ahead in their career path, while their fellows from public universities spend their undergrad years preparing for civil service or government jobs.
According to the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), the rate of employment is higher at 44 per cent among private university graduates, compared to public university graduates at 32 per cent.
Soft skills attract private bosses
According to a Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) study conducted in 2022, around 46 per cent of private employers in the country reported difficulties in filling job vacancies due to lack of required skills.
It found that the private employers prioritise soft skills such as good communication, time management, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership, critical thinking, professional networking skills and creativity, which are the most important in making a hiring decision, compared to hard skills and work experience.
The private university authorities are also designing their syllabus keeping in mind the needs of the time and future job market.
In recent years, private universities introduced market-oriented subjects such as Fashion Designing, Tourism and Hospitality, Computer Science and Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Pharmacy and Microbiology, among others.
Speaking to The Business Post, Mutual Trust Bank Ltd Managing Director and CEO Md Syed Mahbubur Rahman said, “The number of private university graduates working in my institution is ever increasing.
“It will be good if the private university authorities concentrate on the quality of graduates in the future. The private university graduates may lead corporate jobs if the subjects are designed market-oriented. Some of the graduates are doing excellent performances.”
Farhana Rahman Urmi, head of HR of Pasha Group and a professional with experience in hiring for a number of private organisations, said, “In recent years, private university graduates are dominating the country's corporate jobs.
“The private university graduates have good communication skills and good relations with the corporate arena. They maintain it from their student life. This gradually makes them fit for private jobs, and allows them to perform their jobs pretty well.”
That is why the corporate bosses choose private graduates for their companies, she added.
Challenges faced by private universities
The private universities are facing two major challenges – not having authorisation for the PhD programme and a shortage of teachers.
The private universities cannot do quality research in the absence of a PhD programme, as the education ministry is yet to allow the private universities to enrol PhD students. As a result, private universities get fewer marks for research in the world rankings.
Due to the lack of quality and skilled teachers, teachers of private universities take heavy academic pressure, which in turn hampers the overall academic activities. Most of the teachers are so busy with the regular academic activities, so they can hardly concentrate on research.
Syed Mizanur Rahman Raju, director of Students' Affairs of Daffodil International University, said, “The education ministry or the UGC should take immediate initiative to allow the PhD programme at private universities.
“We get poor marks in world ranking, and we cannot increase the number of our research papers in absence of PhD students. I urge the government to allow some reputed private universities - those with adequate capacity – to run the PhD programme.”
Vice Chancellor of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh Prof Imran Rahman said, “We are facing a severe shortage of quality teachers, and cannot launch new departments. The process of hiring foreign teachers is very complex as well.
“Foreign students also show their reluctance to study in private universities because of similar complications.”
UGC Member Prof Dr Biswajit Chanda said, “The education ministry is planning to introduce the PhD programme at private universities. We will prepare a policy after getting permission from the ministry.”
World class education is the target
The country's tertiary education system opened its door to the private sector in 1992, and in the next three decades, the number gradually boomed to 108 because of a soaring demand for higher education, and the limited capacity of existing public universities.
After more than 30 years of journey, the private universities now are planning to ensure quality education with the aim to achieve global-standard excellence.
Prof Dr Atiqul Islam, vice-chancellor of North South University, said, “Our university now holds a 201-300 position in the Times Higher Education Young University Ranking 2023. It is also doing better in other rankings.
“But we are still not satisfied. Our target is to bring the NSU among the 100 top universities in the world. But this goal takes time.”
Ishtiaque Abedin, founder member and chairman of the Board of Trustees of AIUB, said, “My institution plans to include expanding its programme offerings to cater to emerging fields and industries, strengthening partnerships with industry leaders for research and development.
“We also plan to enhance infrastructure and facilities to support the students, increase international collaborations for global exposure and opportunities, and aim to build a skilled and knowledgeable generation ready to face the 4th industrial revolution challenges.”
This vision is evidenced by the recent publication of AIUB Academic Strategic Plan 2023-2033, outlining the university's growth and excellence over the upcoming decade.
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University Prof Dr Syed Mahfuzul Aziz said, “At BRAC University, our research initiatives are driven by a steadfast commitment to knowledge generation, the promotion of human values, and the advancement of sustainable development.
“We prioritise addressing critical issues such as public health, poverty alleviation, humanitarian efforts, and climate change. Our research encompasses diverse fields, including robotics, artificial augmentation, governance, education, peace and justice, entrepreneurship, and environmental studies.”
Vice-Chancellor of United International University (UIU) Prof Dr Md Abul Kashem Mia, said, “The slogan “Quest for Excellence” is our vision. We have been looking for excellence in our academic, administrative and other activities.
“The UIU is unique for this slogan. We are determined to build our students as skilled and knowledgeable so that they can compete with other nations. We have also been working to make the UIU one of the best higher educational institutions in the world.”
