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28 private varsities without VCs


Published : 07 Dec 2019 08:25 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 10:55 PM

Out of the 105 private universities of the country, 28 are running their academic activities without any vice-chancellor.

Moreover, 82 of those are running their activities without any pro-VC while 55 have no treasurer, said sources concerned. 

According to University Grants Commission (UGC) sources, 20 private universities have no VC, pro-VC and treasurer; while none of the three posts is vacant in only 10 private universities.

A senior UGC official told Bangladesh Post: “Recently, the education minister was scheduled to attend the convocation of private university as per the approval of the president. But, at the eleventh hour, the education minister came to know that the university has no VC, pro-VC or treasurer appointed by the president. Activities of all three posts were being carried out by acting officials.”

“As a result, the education minister declined to attend the convocation which was cancelled later,” he added.

It is mentionable that only the VC appointed by the chancellor, or the president, has the authority to sign the certificate. But in spite of this, the acting VC’s of several universities are regularly signing periodic certificates.

It is reported that for a long period of time a private university located at Uttara of the capital has no VC, Pro VC and Treasurer. Only after 18 years of the establishment of the university, the VC, who has been appointed by the President once, has served for four years. Then the acting VC has been running the university for 14 years. Even the person who is working as the acting VC does not even deserve to be in that position. The acting VC is actually the owner of the university. His son is currently the Chairman of the BOT. And by breaking the rules, he is also acting as the dean of the department. In addition, his favourite teachers have been placed in charge of important posts. This is how the university is operating.

According to UGC sources, there are VCs, Pro VCs and Treasurers in 10 universities. These are Independent University Bangladesh, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, International Islamic University Chittagong, University of Asia Pacific, BRAC University, City University, Sonargaon University, University of South Aisa, Atish Dipankar Science and Technology University and Varendra University.

On last September 15, UGC made a list of the latest VCs, Pro VC and Treasurers. Among the 20 universities that have no VCs, Pro VCs and Treasurers are -- Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Asian University of Bangladesh, IBAIS University, Prime University, Royal University of Dhaka, Z H Sikder University of Science and Technology, Exim Bank Agricultural University. Khawaja Yunus Ali University, and Britannia University.

However, many universities keep a VC loyal to their BoT, but they are not interested in fulfilling the positions of Pro VC and treasurer. From these, 82 out of 105 universities have no Pro VC and 55 do not have the treasurer.

It is learned that the Private University Act of 2010 states that no member of BoT has the opportunity to remain in a beneficiary position. But several universities, since their foundation, the BOT chairmen and members have occupied important positions including VCs and Treasurers. And for doing these responsibilities, they are charging huge amount of salary and other benefits.

UGC chairman Professor Dr Kazi Shahidullah said, "We are repeatedly pressurizing on the universities that do not have VC, Pro VC and treasurer. But universities are saying they are not getting qualified professors. But if they want, I can provide. But it is obviously different for the universities where VCs are appointed through recruitment process."

It is known that many private universities are not obeying any rules. According to the latest deadline for the Ministry of Education to extend the time period, 52 private universities were supposed to have permanent campus by December 2017. But in 27 years only 20 private universities have their own permanent campus.

On the one hand, under the obligation of UGC, half of the 32 universities have developed a permanent campus. However, no such educational activities are being conducted in those campuses. They are used as the spot for big events including anniversaries. Even the websites of the universities does not provide informations.

Of the universities that did not have permanent campuses, 9 bought space for their campus, some even started working. The two universities are conducting educational activities on a permanent campus built on their foundation land, but this is not legal as per law. And three private universities have built permanent campuses on less than the land allotted. Despite repeated warnings, there is not much progress in fulfilling the conditions.