At least 90 per cent of private universities are operating in the country without obtaining permanent certificates from the government.
According to the University Grants Commission (UGC), only 11 out of total 109 government-approved private universities have so far obtained permanent certificates.
As per the Private University Act-2010, private universities must obtain permanent certificates from the government within 12 years since their inception.
Of the total, 54 private universities have yet to get permanent certificates even after the deadline has expired, but only 11 private universities have so far received permanent certificates by fulfilling all the conditions, including setting up of permanent campuses.
The 11 private universities are: Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST), East West University (EWU), City University, University of Science and Technology, Chittagong, Atish Dipankar University of Science & Technology, BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT), Premier University, World University of Bangladesh, Eastern University, University of Asia Pacific, and Daffodil International University.
However, 43 other private universities missed the deadline to receive permanent certificates despite getting temporary certificates from the government.
When asked, UGC member Prof Biswajit Chanda told The Business Post, “We are trying our level best to ensure quality education and bring discipline by curbing irregularities at private universities.”
“A total of 44 universities have already shifted to permanent campuses. Of them, 11 universities got permanent certificates. I hope that the rest of the universities will also get certificates soon if they fulfill the conditions,” he said.
The UGC data shows that a good number of renowned universities, including North South University, Independent University of Bangladesh, American International University-Bangladesh, United International University and BRAC University are also yet to obtain permanent certificates.
UGC officials said some universities have already fulfilled all criteria to get certificates but they did not show interest to take certificates that is a violation of law while some universities have yet to fulfill all the conditions.
According to Provision 7 of the Private University Act- 2010, a private university is given temporary permission to set up a university. Within seven years after getting temporary approval along with a five-year grace period, the university should have its permanent campus and meet other conditions to carry out academic and administrative activities.
When a university fulfills all the conditions, it can apply for a permanent certificate.
UGC director (Private University Division) Omar Faruque told The Business Post, “A total of 44 private universities are now carrying out academic activities on permanent campuses while some other universities will also go to permanent campuses soon. And it is due to our steps in this regard.”
About the permanent certificate, he said they recommended the education ministry provide permanent certificates to the universities when the commission is satisfied with the documents submitted by the private universities for certificates.
It was stated in provision 47 of private university act that the private university will have to obtain certificate by fulfilling the conditions within the period prescribed by the government.
If any private university fails to get the certificate within the period, the government can suspend temporary certificate and declare the private university closed, it said.
Insiders said it will be tough to ensure quality education and curb irregularities at private universities if the government does not take punitive action against those that have breached the law.
Conditions to get permanent certificate
According to private university act-2010, the university will have to build its campus on at least one acre of land in Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas while two acres of land in other areas of the country.
Permanent infrastructure of the private university has to be constructed within the period given in the temporary permit after approving the plan for the campus and university buildings by the authority concerned on the university’s land.
The land of the private university shall not be entrusted or transferred to any person or institution in any way, according to the law.
It also said a minimum of 6 per cent of full-time students admitted to the private universities in each academic year should be reserved for freedom fighters’ children and poor students from remote underdeveloped areas without tuition and other fees.
Enough security for the students on the university campus will have to be ensured while a portion of money will have to be kept aside in the annual budget of the University for carrying out research and the allocated money will have to be spent, it said.
The law also said before applying for a permanent certificate, the university will have to follow all provisions of private university act-2010.
