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Published : 06 May 2026, 01:16 AM
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has called for granting private universities greater autonomy under “simple conditions”, criticising past efforts to bring them under tighter government control.
He, however, cautioned that such freedom must not allow a repeat of incidents like the Holey Artisan Bakery attack.
The minister made the remarks on Tuesday night while speaking at a discussion organised by the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh at a Dhaka hotel.
He alleged that both the previous Awami League government and the interim government had attempted to tighten control over private universities by amending the relevant law.
“In 2010 and again in 2025, we saw attempts to bring these private universities under government administration,” he said.
“If we continue such ‘serious monitoring’ and keep putting ‘red tags’, these universities will not be able to function in the future. Let them have their own freedom -- with simple bars.”
At the same time, he warned against unchecked autonomy.
“We will not give such freedom that another Holey Artisan happens. We must remember that. It is unbelievable that private universities had turned into breeding grounds for militancy,” he said.
Bangladesh’s deadliest militant attack took place on Jul 1, 2016, at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, where five attackers killed 20 people, including 17 foreign nationals, before being neutralised in a commando operation. Two police officers were also killed.
Some of the attackers had links to private universities, while one teacher was also arrested as a suspect at the time.
Highlighting the government’s role, the minister said it would support private universities in improving academic standards.
“The government must regulate private universities—but not in a way that we are constantly interfering. Rather, we will assist you in advancing. The government must listen to you and address your problems,” he said.
He also said private universities should have representation in the University Grants Commission.
Referring to complaints about delays, he said he had learned of a case where a file remained pending at the commission for two years.
“I had no idea such things happen. How can a file remain stuck for two years?” he said, adding that administrative processes should be completed within 72 hours.
The minister expressed hope that a roadmap for the education and primary education ministries would be finalised before the government completes 180 days in office.
The discussion was chaired by APUB President Md Sabur Khan.
