Emerging Fields of Study: New Subjects Offered by Private Universities in Bangladesh
The private University scene in Bangladesh has seen an incredible change since its days of commencement in the 1990s. An increasing number of universities in this country are striving to offer the best possible programs to prepare the youth for the demanding and challenging future ahead. All of these programs have been designed with meticulous precision and are expected to provide any individual under the field of study to get an exceptional understanding of the subject. Additionally, students are also provided with sound professional training which will help them apply this knowledge in real world scenarios and hopefully make them the beacon of change that their institutions aim to make them.
Media and Journalism
Of the several programs being offered, Media and Journalism Studies in particular has been growing as a popular choice of major.
The Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) was established in 2004 and offers graduate (Masters in Communication) and undergraduate (Bachelor of Social Science) programs. The Department of Communication provides graduate and undergraduate programs to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical principles needed to succeed in the media landscape. In order to better educate students for the changing media landscape, it also intends to adapt the curriculum in light of advances in AI and 4IR.
In a conversation, Dr. Mohammad Shazzad Hossain, Assistant Professor and Director of the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, said, "My academic experience has shown me the immense value of preparing students for an increasingly technology-driven future. By leveraging innovative teaching methods and instilling a passion for continuous learning, I aim to equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape."
Likewise, and with a similar aim, several other private universities - Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB), Canadian University of Bangladesh, State University of Bangladesh and more recently United International University (UIU) have taken the initiative to establish their Journalism and Media Studies Department.
Anthropology
In Bangladesh, Anthropology is a field of study that is less known amongst most people but is of great importance. Independent University of Bangladesh was the pioneer in introducing Anthropology in private universities in this country. Following their footsteps, private universities such as Chittagong Independent University and BRAC University started its own Anthropology program.
BRAC started this department in 2013 with only 5 students. Now the number of students enrolled in the program is over a hundred and seem to be an increasingly popular choice of Minor for many Economics and English graduates.
Dr. Moiyen Zalal Chowdhury, Professor of Anthropology at BRAC University says, "I have been teaching Anthropology for six years, both in Japan and Bangladesh. As our society has become more technologically integrated, it is crucial to address the human aspects. Anthropology helps us to build the connection between economy, technological advancement and human condition. It enables students to be prepared for all sorts of professional avenues including the developmental sector'.
Engineering in Various Fields
Universities offering Textile Engineering- a much relevant field of study for our country, include International Standard university of Bangladesh and Southeast university.
The Department of Textile Engineering of Southeast University, Dhaka started its journey in 2006 by launching BSc in Textile Engineering. The Department is consistently putting out its best efforts to provide an international standard Textile Engineering program and contribute to research to benefit the textile and fashion industries worldwide.
"Textile Education is, by necessity, the most comprehensive course of university studies and it holds great potential for a student's bright future" says Dr. Syed Atiqur Rahman Chairman of the Textile Engineering Department.
Another such essential field of engineering available in the country is the Industrial and Production Engineering in institutions such as American International university of Bangladesh. AIUB's Department of Industrial and Production Engineering (IPE) started its academic journey in the spring 2019-2020 semester. The first batch of IPE consists of more than 20 students. IPE is a broad field compared to other engineering disciplines. Currently in the industry, IPE graduates are sought extensively in the job market due to having diversified knowledge of different fields.
Dr. Md. Ehsanul Haque, Head of the IPE department, commented, "IPE graduates are hot cake in the job market nowadays. Each and every industry is hiring IPE graduates because these graduates are able to play the vital roles of being an engineer and a manager at the same time. We hope our IPE graduates will have that much potential to face the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution and will contribute to the prosperity of our country."
Other universities such as State University of Bangladesh is offering both graduate and undergraduate programs under their Food Engineering and Technology department; and the Canadian University of Bangladesh has a department for Maritime and Shipping for those looking for a career in the respective sectors.
Fashion Designing and Technology
Bangladesh only has a handful of design and fashion technology programs running in the undergraduate and Masters level. Uttara University is one of such very few universities which have had a Fashion Designing and Technology Department. Known as the Fashion and Merchandising Technology department, it was established in the year of 2012 to create professionals of international standard for the apparel and fashion industries. Fashion Design and Merchandising Technology is considered as a modern need-based course which has huge opportunities for the students to compete in their national and international job market.
Professor Farruque Masud who is the Chairman of this department has informed, "This department will open need based short course education for professionals working in apparel and fashion industries like diploma and certificate courses. Our intention is to make professionals by which nation can save our money taken by foreigners working in apparel and fashion industries."
Data Analytics and Data Science
With the extensive use of Artificial intelligence and advanced technology in the world today, many institutions have felt the need to prepare the youth of this country for such a technologically advanced world.
East Delta University Bangladesh has taken the initiative to offer a Masters of Science in Data Analytics and Design Thinking for Business program. With the right application of data science, this degree enables students to concentrate on data-driven business design with an emphasis on marketing and human resources management as their areas of specialization.
The MSc in Data Analytics and Design Thinking for Business program follows the guidelines set by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It is also to be noted that the university grants numerous scholarships for 'Master of Science in Data
Analytics and Design Thinking for Business' students based on their academic performance and financial circumstances.
Additionally, the department of Computer Science and Engineering of United International University is offering the first ever undergraduate program in Data Science in Bangladesh. The admission will open in June for Fall 2023 semester and classes are expected to commence from September 2023.
Professor Dr. Swakkhar Shatabda is the director of this newly approved program. Professor Shatabda has a PhD degree in Artificial Intelligence and has been involved in university level active teaching, research, collaboration and industry consultancy for the last 15 years in home and abroad. With that experience in the department and its leadership, the program aims to train the graduates to enable them as critical problem solvers and independent learners which will set them to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams and situations adapting to broad technological changes.
Management and Nursing programs
The healthcare sector is rapidly changing and evolving into the most technically demanding field. To help students get a better understanding of this field, universities such as State University of Bangladesh and International University of Business Agriculture and Technology are offering degrees in Nursing and Healthcare Management. IUBAT's Nursing degree is one of a kind since it is one of the very few Nursing degrees offered in a non-governmental institution and is accredited by the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Students may also be interested in the prospects offered by degrees in Developmental Studies and Disaster Management both of which are being offered by BRAC University.
Social Sciences programs and Legal Studies
The "Master of Public Policy and Leadership" (MPPL) program, the first of its type in the entire world, was pioneered by East Delta University. Students in the MPPL program are guaranteed to receive a high-quality education and exposure to international best practices thanks to their invaluable faculty. The corporate sector, financial institutions, NGOs, academic institutions, the government service, and the business sector are just a few job pathways available to MPPL graduates.
Specialised Legal Studies programs are also slowly being integrated into the university curriculum in some universities. The Department of Law and Human Rights of the University of Asia Pacific has started providing such LLB and LLM courses for their students with the aim of making them competent in the Legal Fields both nationally and internationally.
Higher level educational Institutions in the country are definitely inching towards a more diversified and complex academic scene where there is a wider range of programs available for students to pick from. Given the development of this aspect in the past 15 years alone, it can be expected that this diversification will continue in the private university sector in Bangladesh and benefit those trying to make their mark in this rapidly changing world.