If the private universities had not provided quality education, a large number of students would have either gone abroad or given up hope for university education, they said at a programme marking the fourth foundation anniversary of the Eastern University, a private institution, at the National Museum auditorium in the city.

They also called on the private universities to give priority to high quality education.

Prof Dr Wakil Ahmed, vice-chancellor of National University, said the private universities have widened the scope of higher education in the country.

"I hope the private universities will maintain the quality of education in the context of present global environment by introducing modern teaching tools and following scientific teaching methodologies and need-based curriculum," he said.

He also criticised the media, saying that several newspapers published reports on corruption of vice-chancellors of several public universities, which were not true.

Dr Hua Du, country director of Bangladesh Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank, said the private universities should use modern teaching aids and methodologies and introduce innovative need-based curriculum to improve the quality of higher education.

"Students of private university are getting jobs easily, as all the private universities offer market-oriented subjects," said Hua Du as the chief guest.

Prof Zillur Rahman Siddique, former vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, said quality higher education cannot be ensured without recruitment of skilled teachers at the universities.

Prof Dr Rahim B Talukdar, vice-chancellor of Eastern University, said about 3200 students have enrolled on different courses in the Eastern University and the number of students is increasing every year.

Former adviser to the caretaker government Hafiz Uddin Khan, writer Imdadul Haque Milon, Eastern University Foundation Chairman Abul Quasem Haider and Vice-Chairmen Anwar Hossain Chowdhury and Prof ABM Shahidul Islam also spoke.

At the programme, the Eastern University honoured and presented crests to eminent personalities in recognition of their contribution to different fields. They are Prof Zillur Rahman Siddique (education), Imdadul Haq Milon (literature) and Mahfuzur Rahman (electronic media). Besides, social organisation Anjuman Mufidul Islam were also awarded.