UGC bans enrollment at 6 private universities

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has banned enrollment of new students at six private universities, due to the institutions’ failure to shift all academic activities to their respective permanent campuses by the stipulated deadline.

On Monday, the commission sent letters signed by its Director (Private University Division) Md Omar Faruque to the six universities, informing them about the decision which was taken at a UGC meeting earlier, insiders said.

As part of the ban, admission for new students will remain halted at the Victoria University Bangladesh, Primeasia University, Stamford University Bangladesh, and ASA University Bangladesh, until further notice.

Moreover, the UGC also imposed a ban on student enrollment at the temporary campuses of Manarat International University and the University of Development Alternative. A statement in this regard would be released soon, sources at the UGC told The Business Post.

The UGC also allowed two to six-month time extensions to nine other private universities, so that they can shift to a permanent campus and avoid the ban on enrollment of new students.

Among such institutions, The People’s University of Bangladesh, Brac University, State University of Bangladesh, Green University of Bangladesh, Presidency University, and The Millennium University have shown significant progress in shifting to permanent campuses.

These universities will have to shift their academic and administrative activities by the respective fresh deadlines, or they will also face a ban of student enrolment, said UGC sources.

In April last year, the commission sent letters to 23 private universities, giving them an ultimatum to move to their permanent campuses by December 31. The letter also warned that the universities would not be allowed to enrol new students if they fail to comply.

Only eight out of the 23 universities shifted activities to their permanent campuses by the stipulated time frame, UGC sources say.

Aside from those mentioned, the other six that failed to shift to permanent campuses are – The People's University of Bangladesh, BRAC University, State University of Bangladesh, Green University of Bangladesh, Presidency University, and The Millennium University.

UGC Member (Private University) Prof Dr Biswajit Chanda had recently said, “Enrolment of students at some of the universities that failed to shift their academic activities to permanent campuses by December 31 has been suspended.

“Such private universities have already been given years to shift. So, we will not extend the deadline further. However, the UGC may be lenient towards a few universities, so they can have another two or three months to shift to a permanent campus.”

Higher education under private institutions started its journey in Bangladesh in 1992.

According to the Private University Act 2010, the government provides any such institution temporary permission to run its academic activities. Within seven years after getting temporary approval, along with a five-year grace period, a university should have its permanent campus.

After the 12-year period has passed, the UGC can decide to put a hold on the admission of students if a university has not shifted to its permanent campus.

Since the establishment of the universities, 55 out of 109 private institutions are at the stage where 12 years have passed since getting temporary approval from the UGC. Among them, 43 have shifted to permanent campuses, but the other 12 universities did not.