Dhaka, Feb 8 (bdnews24.com) – Educationists Thursday railed against politics on the campus, both by teachers and students, what they said was the key reason for backwardness of higher education.
They came to a consensus that the University Ordinance 1973 should be amended to live up to global standards of education.
They also put forward a number of suggestions to overcome difficulties and shortcomings at the tertiary level education, particularly in the public sector.
The opinions and suggestions came at a roundtable discussion at the CIRDAP auditorium.
Corruption watchdog Transparency International, Bangladesh organised the discussion on
Corruption in Public Universities: Patterns and Remedies,
a book launched Thursday.
Prof Muhammad Yahia Akhter of Chittagong University researched for the book where he depicted a picture of corruption in public universities.
The educationists at the roundtable stressed a revision of the University Ordinance.
Changes to the system of appointments of vice chancellors, pro vice-chancellors, treasurers and teachers, and boost to research programmes were among the suggestions.
Some said clear regulations should be laid out for teacher recruitment.
University Grants Commission chief Professor Asaduzzaman strongly criticised politics on the campus. "The politics devoured our education and we must stop it," he said.
DU Pro VC AFM Yusuf Haider stressed a revision of the university ordinance.
Former Chittagong University VC Mohammad Ali opposed the existing system of appointment of VC. "An elected VC cannot work on his own."
He urged teachers to unite against politics at universities. "Politics should not be allowed on the campus and the teacher who wants to get involved in politics should resign from the university," Mohammad Ali said.
Jagannath University VC Sirajul Islam Khan said the university ordinance should be revised completely.
Mahabbat Khan, who teaches at the DU Public Administration Department, said teachers and higher authorities of public universities must be made accountable. Even the vice-chancellor should be punished for his faults, he said.
Prof Imtiaz Ahmed of International Relations Department of Dhaka University said meritocracy is more important than democracy to educational institutions.
Asif Nazrul stood against different polls of university teachers. He said the system to elect faculty deans and syndicate members should be cancelled.
"Student will do politics only to realise their rights, not to promote Khaleda or Hasina," Asif Nazrul said.
He criticised the concept of strike particularly by teachers. "Strike by university teachers is disgraceful!"
Professor Syed Anwar Hossain of Dhaka University emphasised a proper political system.
Amena Mohsin, former chairman of the DU International Relations department, described the harmful aspects of teachers' politics.
"I was the most powerless person in my department as I did not belong to any political fold." She said she had to seek help of junior teachers involved in politics to perform many departmental tasks.
Professor Razzak of Rajshahi University attached more importance to compliance with the 1973 ordinance than changing it.
Professor Mainul Islam of Chittagong University said educational institutions must be free from politics.
TIB chairman Professor Muzaffer Ahmad moderated the session.
bdnews24.com/my/ad/1858 hours
