Private universities

This is in reply to Mr. Saif's criticism of private universities (April 05). The emergence of private universities in Bangladesh began with the enactment of a series of laws governing higher education in 1992. In eleven years these non-governmental institutions have become a pervasive part of the academic landscape, satisfying the soaring demand for higher education and presenting new challenges for a troubled public system. The current state of private universities in Bangladesh, however, suggests that these initiatives may complement more than they threaten the traditional publicly financed system.

Violence at public universities in Bangladesh claims many student lives each year, and causes countless unscheduled closures or "session jams," sometimes preventing class meetings for more than 100 days per year. The result: at the foremost Dhaka University, a four-year honours degree takes an average of six years to complete. In contrast, the private universities have never experienced an unscheduled closure due to unrest and students are proceeding through private degree programmes without delay.

On the other hand, the full-time teacher/student ratio is alarmingly low at most of the private universities. Private institutions are forced to engage mostly part-time professors who are reluctant to leave the security of their full-time positions at public universities for risky private-sector jobs. As a result, a large number of retired professors can be found working as full-time faculty at the emerging private institutions. These private institutions are permitted by law to rent classroom and office space only for their first four years of operation, and must acquire deeded land for university development within that time limit. These requirements present a major challenge to institutions without additional capital, government land grants, or a major infusion of philanthropy. There are more than 50 private universities in the country and most of them have failed to shift their campus in their own premises even in eight years. The UGC is responsible for the quality of education in these private universities, but it seems that they are doing nothing in this regard.

This is in response to the letter "Private Universities" by K M Zubair Sadeque, Pennsylvania, USA (April 9).

I fully agree with him that the public universities are, in most cases, plagued by campus violence (as I mentioned earlier on April 5) and public universities do offer a "real alternative". But it comes at a price that a few 'blessed' ones can afford.

He has enlightened me with the fact that 'every university in the USA has a career placement department' while our public universities never heard of such a name and 'The private universities of Bangladesh simply adopted this world-wide practice of career placement services.' Mr. K M Zubair Sadeque has been in Bangladesh and he should know that whenever any 'world-wide practice' comes to Bangladesh, it has its own 'Bangladeshi Style'. For the poor souls living here (like me), this 'world-wide practice' is a sinister nexus that is buying jobs for private university students, thanks to the hefty amount of money charged by the private university authorities and the word "we are equal opportunity provider" sporting in the job circular is nothing but farce.

This is the age of open market economy. It hurts but it is true that money is overtaking merit. Education is noting but a good place to invest. If you have enough money, go and get enrolled in a private university armed with 'world-wide practice' to get a job for you. If you are an entrepreneur, have a private university of your own! Don't worry about the UGC. Some day you will become a member of the regulatory committee of UGC, even if you don't have a permanent campus for your university.

Saif, Dhaka