The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a seminar yesterday stressed the need for forming an accreditation council for ensuring quality education in private universities.

Describing the importance of private universities for providing time-befitting education in the country, they said an accreditation council could work to propel the private universities in a right direction, removing irregularities and stopping fake accreditation.

The BIDS and Northern University Bangladesh organized the seminar on 'Experience of accreditation council in North American countries and its applicability in context of Bangladesh' in the conference room of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) in the city.

BIDS Director General Dr Kazi Sahabuddin presided over the seminar, while J. Ronne Davis, Professor of Finance and Economics of the University of New Orleans, USA, was the main speaker.

Former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Professor M Maniruzzaman Miah, Vice Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh Prof Dr M Shamsul Haque and Vice Chancellor of Eastern University Prof Dr Rahim B Talukder, among others, took part in the open discussion.

Prof Maniruzzaman said an accreditation council should be formed with efficient and honest persons with a view to bringing necessary changes in private universities, which is needed for ensuring quality education in the country.

"Most private varsities now face challenges in providing quality education. Authorities of private varsities should change their commercial attitude to get over the challenges," he added.

Prof Maniruzzaman said both public and private universities would have to give priority to introduce time-befitting education to meet the needs of society.

J Ronne Davis underscored the need for developing human ability through quality education for socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

Describing the experiences of accreditation councils in North American countries, he suggested that an accreditation council should be formed considering the needs of Bangladesh instead of copying models of other countries.

Appreciating the expansion of private university education in the country, J Ronne said both public and private universities would have to contribute to time-befitting education to accelerate the pace of development activities.

Prof Dr M Shamsul Haque laid emphasis on constituting an effective accreditation council immediately to bring transparency in the private universities.