2 more science and technology universities approved
Educationists emphasise quality education
The government has taken initiatives to set up two more science and technology universities, one in Lakshmipur and the other in Bogura.
The Cabinet, in a meeting on Monday, approved two draft bills for establishing the educational institutions. The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
According to the draft bills, the titles of the new public universities will be the Lakshmipur Science and Technology University and the Bogura Science and Technology University.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam briefed journalists after the Cabinet meeting.
President M Abdul Hamid, as usual, will be the chancellor of the two universities while two separate syndicates will be formed to run them. Also, a vice chancellor, a pro vice chancellor and a treasurer will be appointed for each of them.
There will also be an academic council for each of them.
The academic council will be composed of one representative nominated by the University Grants Commission, one official of the rank of joint secretary, one from the science and technology research institute and three academics nominated by the vice chancellor of the respective universities.
The cabinet secretary said the academic councils of the universities will be similar to those of other universities.
Eminent educationists in the country have hailed the government initiative, and have stressed the need for providing quality education.
Professor Dr AK Azad Chowdhury, the former vice chancellor of Dhaka University, told The Business Standard this is obviously good news because universities enlighten people and prepare them to cope with the global situation.
"Now, we have challenges in providing quality higher education. The establishing of universities will be fruitless if we cannot provide an education of international standard," Dr Azad, also the former chairman of the University Grants Commission, said.
Professor Dr Mostafizur Rahman, the chairman of Dhaka University's Computer Science and Engineering department, also welcomed the government's move to set up new universities in the country.
Bangladesh needs more science and technology universities to build its future generation, he said.
"However, the universities will turn into a burden if they are not run by proper and skilled teachers," the professor warned.
After these two universities are established, there will be 52 public universities, including 13 science and technology universities, in Bangladesh. There are 105 private universities in the country, out of which 90 are functioning.
Two science and technology universities were established last year. These are the Chandpur Science and Technology University and the Habiganj Agriculture University.
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, which was established in 1986, was the first of its kind in the country.
The other science and technology universities are in Tangail, Dinajpur, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Jashore, Pabna, Gopalganj, Rangamati, Chandpur and Habiganj.
