They urged the caretaker government to form a committee for identifying the problems of the university and making a roadmap to solve them.

The dialogue on 'Structural problems of National University and their solutions' was organised by Nagarik Sanghati, a non-government organisation, at the National Press Club in the city.

Prof M Maniruzzaman Miah, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, suggested regional centres for NU to be headed by pro-vice-chancellors so that the colleges under the university could be monitored easily.

"Regional centres of NU will have to be set up in all important places including Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet and Barisal for reducing the academic loads at Gazipur centres," he added.

Prof Maniruzzaman alleged that most of the colleges under NU do not have own library, separate examination rooms and research centres which are essential for maintaining quality education.

"Most of the city colleges under NU do not have adequate library, class rooms and sufficient teachers. On the other hand, unskilled teachers are recruited at different non-government colleges through the governing bodies. It is difficult for only one centre of NU at Gazipur to monitor all these problems," he added.

Prof Maniruzzaman said only 12 percent students of NU attend over 50 percent classes while only 30 percent students attend only 30 to 50 percent of total classes.

Lack of teachers, classrooms, library and modern curriculum are the main reasons for the absence of so many students from their classes, he said.

Prof M Abdul Mobin Chowdhury, former vice-chancellor of NU, said colleges under NU have to run academic activities of two-year HSC, three-year degree (pass course), four-year honours and one-year masters courses which are beyond their capacity.

"When I was the VC, I proposed for six regional centres for smooth running of the university. But I could not implement it due to political pressure," he added.

Prof Nurul Momen of Dhaka University suggested that NU should be handed over to four public universities.

Prof AKM Wahiduzzaman of NU said many colleges under NU give the students admission in subjects that they don't have.

"Titumeer College in the capital do not have geography department, but students are admitted there with honours in geography," he pointed out.

Nagarik Sanghati President and DU Prof ASM Atiqur Rahman conducted the dialogue which was participated by Engineer Enamul Haq, DU Prof Sakhawat Ansaree and NU Officer Abu Hanif.