Bangladesh’s University Challenge: 25 Public Institutions Still Lack Permanent Campuses
Twenty-five public universities in Bangladesh currently operate without their own permanent campuses. This means many students attend classes in temporary, rented, or borrowed buildings. Most of these institutions were approved between 2013 and 2023.
Some universities use buildings from other schools. Others are spread across several rented places. This situation often prevents students from experiencing a full university environment. For example, the University of Frontier Technology, Bangladesh (UFTB) runs its classes from three small rented buildings in Kaliakair, Gazipur.
These temporary arrangements often mean poor facilities. The UFTB campus looks like a normal house and lacks a generator. Power cuts cause difficulties for students. This setup is costing universities large amounts of money in rent. Khulna Agricultural University, for instance, pays about 821,000 Taka each month.
Five of these 25 universities have not yet started teaching. However, vice-chancellors have been appointed for them. The remaining universities have students, teachers, and staff. Still, they do not have their own campuses.
Professor Mamun Ahmed, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), said these universities were approved before his time. He stated that the UGC is working to ensure minimum facilities quickly. Some universities are trying to acquire land or build campuses. But many years have passed since they were established.
Education experts believe that starting classes without proper facilities is problematic. It creates a “makeshift education” system. There are also claims of unfair hiring practices in some institutions. For example, a former vice-chancellor of Khulna Agricultural University faced allegations of hiring relatives.
Some specialized science and technology universities also offer general subjects like humanities. Experts worry this dilutes their main purpose. The UGC had a policy in 2023 to stop universities from starting in temporary places. But this policy has not been followed.
Experts say universities are often established for political reasons, not careful planning. Sowmit Joydip, a BRAC University researcher, compared this to “giving birth to a child before it reaches maturity.” He stressed that proper preparation, including an independent campus and facilities, is vital for quality higher education.
