Dhaka, Dec 12 (bdnews24.com) —The private universities that will fail to relocate their campuses within September next will not be allowed to admit new students.
Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid came up with the warning while briefing reporters at his ministry on implementation of the Private University Act- 2010 on Sunday.
Nahid, at a meeting on Aug 18, asked the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh to give opinions on relocating the campuses of the private universities. In response, the association on Nov 22 sought 15 years and government lands for permanent infrastructures of the universities.
The minister said each private university got permission under the act, passed on July 18, on condition that it will have its own campus on five acres of land within five years. "Now their request for further 15 years is illogical, unrealistic and unacceptable."
He went on: "Their demand for government lands to move to their permanent campuses cannot be a condition. This is absurd and illegal."
About the ongoing academic activities, the minister said the courses of the students who took admission before September 2011 must be completed in time. In these cases, he said, the private universities will give five years more for shifting to their permanent campuses.
The government has so far given permission to 51 universities on temporary basis under the Private University Act 1992. Of them, 49 universities crossed the five-year timeline to have their own campuses.
University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman professor Nazrul Islam, who was present on the occasion, said the universities were put in five categories on the basis of moving to their permanent campuses. "But, only eight of the universities have so far been able to shift to their own campuses in line with the act."
Those are North South University, Chittagong University of Science and Technology, Chittagong International University, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Brac University and Bangladesh University of Business and Technology.
He said Independent University Bangladesh, East West University, Gono Bishwabiddalay, South East University and City University have already purchased lands and their construction works are underway.
The universities that have bought lands but not started their construction works are American International University, Asian University of Bangladesh, The University of Asia Pacific, Daffodil International University, Shanto Mariam University of Creative Technology, United International University, Southern University of Bangladesh and Dhaka International University.
The universities that have their own campuses but the size of their lands does not match the requirement under act are The Peoples University of Bangladesh, Manarat International University, State University of Bangladesh, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, Sylhet Metropolitan University, Northern University, Chittagong Premier University, Daffodil International University and Dhaka International University.
The universities that have not taken any step to relocate their campuses are Darul Ihsan University, Leading University, Sylhet International University, Bangladesh University, University of Development Alternative, Stamford University and IBAIS University.
He also said only eight among the universities have so far been able to shift their own campuses in line with the act.
Professor Islam said a decision was taken to issue 'red alert' against 43 universities who have failed to fulfill the conditions. But 10-15 universities are expected to be able to fulfill the conditions.
A number of new universities with their own campuses will start activities under the act, he added.
The universities which are going to get permission without their own campuses under the act will have to move to their permanent campuses within seven years. Forty-two applications have been submitted to the education ministry in line with the act.
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