President asks UGC to ensure quality of higher education

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DHAKA, Sept 11, 2018 (BSS) – President M Abdul Hamid today asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) to be more active to ensure quality of higher education through enhanced monitoring and establishing accountability in universities.

“Be more active to increase accountability to ensure quality of higher education,” he said while speaking the ninth UGC Award-Giving Ceremony at a city hotel here this afternoon.

Abdul Hamid, also the chancellor of the universities, stressed on the evaluation of each level of higher studies and playing a strong role by the UGC authority in this connection.

Referring to his (President) earlier directives to the education ministry, the UGC and the university authorities, the President hoped that the UGC would strictly monitor the overall progress of implementation of the guidelines at each educational institution.

The President urged UGC to take care that no educated person remains unemployed after attaining university degrees.

Referring to the large number of students in country’s universities, he said, “This has become possible due to the pragmatic steps, including a time-befitting education policy and its successful implementation as well.”

President Hamid lauded the contribution of private sector in the expansion of country’s higher studies. He, however, said, “No business in the name of education will be accepted at all.”

Referring to recent media reports on irregularities in some private universities, he said imparting quality teaching by many universities is being hampered due to lack of proper environment and infrastructural opportunities and efficient teachers.

The President put emphasis on the quality of education and developed research at the university level, terming it a key driving force of socio-economic development of the country.

He urged all concerned to keep in mind that the research activities cannot be confined to only attaining degrees.

He suggested giving special attention to doing research works as it can bring welfare for the country and the nation. President Hamid said the teachers and researchers can play a very significant role to maintain and develop the quality of education in universities.

“You (teachers and researchers) will open a new horizon of knowledge through higher education and research being imbued with the utmost responsibilities for the country and nation.”

Noting that the university is not only the place of studies, but also a big venue of freethinking, he told the teachers and researchers to inspire the students in various extra-curricular activities including contemporary knowledge, sports and cultural programmes.

The President asked the students and teachers to contribute to the nation building with the spirit of 1971 Liberation War.

President Hamid congratulated 35 awardees who got UGC Award (gold medal) in 2016 and 2017 for their outstanding contributions to different research-based publications.

This award of the UGC will undoubtedly inspire the teachers and young researchers in their research works, he observed.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, MP, UGC Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan, Chittagong University VC Prof Dr Iftekhar Uddin Chowhdury, Lecturer of Dhaka University Law Department Arpita Shams Mizan, National University VC Prof Harun-Or-Rashid, UGC member Prof Dr Dil Afroza Begum, among others, spoke on the occasion.