Prof. Dr. Saifullah Khandker :After successful completion of Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C) examination every year more than 500.000 students show interest to pursue their higher education in different disciplines. At present there are 82 universities in Bangladesh of which 51are private and 31 are public. In 2009, private and public universities had a combined enrolment of about 140.000 students. Seats available in the public & private universities are limited compared to the number of students completing H.S.C per year. Every year, more than half of the H.S.C. passed students has no access to higher education in Bangladesh. The Government of Bangladesh allowed establishment of private universities through the Private University Act, 1992, Amendment, 1998 and 2010. The act provides guidelines and criteria for private universities – mostly about the organization and structure of such universities. According to the Private University Act, 2010, private universities must have a balanced and intensive syllabus approved by the University Grant Commission (UGC) and also gives the syndicate the power to make statutes containing syllabuses, teaching methods, etc. However, these sections are not enough to maintain the standard of higher education. Exploiting the loopholes in the Act, 1992 and Amendment 1998, particular groups are turning higher education rather into business enterprises. Simultaneously, a few new private universities are also showing below standard performances even lesser to the public universities. Hence, unfortunately, not one of country’s 82 public and private universities can be found among the top 500 universities in most global rankings.For a country, a certain proportion of population with higher education are required who are extremely qualified to contribute mainly to the field of research and knowledge creation. Countries are essentially in need of more technically and professionally sound graduates who have job-oriented skills and knowledge. The education system in Bangladesh nourishes the students to learn some basic theories than to understand the applied use of those theories.In Bangladesh only one common body supervises both the public and the private universities — that is the University Grants Commission (UGC), except for some role played by the Ministry of Education, Government of Bangladesh. According to the Private University Act, 2010, the absence of any proper guideline from the UGC the private universities must have a balanced and intensive syllabuses approved by the UGC. Moreover the UGC gives the syndicate of the private universities the power to make statutes etc. However, these sections are not enough to maintain standard of higher education in the globalized world. Nowadays, education of international standards is highly sought for. Young graduates are required to be flexible, well educated as well as internationally skilled. To outline the importance the responsible authorities (MOE & UGC) must develop new modernized guide lines and methodologies for curricula development and this should be both for national and international level. Doing so, the authorities should not forget the standardization of the curricula. Once again:o Standardized curricula both at the national & international levelThe objectives of this process should be to improve the quality of higher education (HE) and harmonize the HE-system in Bangladesh between zones/divisions (national) and to the international level e.g. South East Asian Credit Transfer System (SEACTS) even at the level of European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The main issues to be addressed are: o curricula reforms aiming at improving competence and skills requirements;o create more flexibility among courses, modules and lecturerso and stimulate student mobilityo At national level, changes could me initiated in the field of quality assurance and accreditation (adopting the e.g. SARC guidelines or adopting ECTS the Bergen guidelines)It is prime responsibility of the authorities of Higher Education System of Bangladesh (i.e. the UGC) to provide the guidelines of the regulatory frameworks on the basis of which the universities [Higher Educational Institutions (HEI)] can prepare their curriculum. To the curricula framework belongs: The guide lines of the structure and contents of the courses of studies should be specified in the study regulations and examination regulations. They list the individual classes – including the number of hours – required for successful completion of a course of study in each stage of higher education (basic and advanced studies) and show which subjects are compulsory, elective and optional. The study regulations also indicate which form of certificates can be earned in which specific classes. Study regulations furnish guidance to the students, on the one hand, while serving as the basis for the planning of the curriculum in each department, on the other.The examination regulations should also specify the standard period of study, requirements for entry to examinations, crediting of specific courses and examinations taken, time allowed for completion of a dissertation, examination standards, procedures and examination subjects.To ensure that the various institutions of higher education throughout Bangladesh provide a comparable standard of scientific and academic training and degrees, the responsible authorities (UGC & MOE) and the Rectors of Universities of Bangladesh should set up a Joint Commission for the Coordination of the Study and Examinations Regulations, which can set up a framework regulation, covering all subjects, on examinations leading to the Bachelors, Master degrees and PhD degrees. A Higher Educational Institute (HEI) should get the free opportunity to develop new programmes (within the respective roles of university and non-university HEIs) but these have to be accredited. The Accreditation Commission evaluates the quality of each study programme and submits (almost) binding expert standpoint to the Ministry, which awards accreditation. The Ministry should encourage and financially support the development of high-priority programmes via the long-term planning negotiations.The initiative of developing new programmes should left to the department that makes a proposal and asks the faculty council for advice. The Executive Board finally decides. In this process, several aspects should be taken into account: ” evolution in science and relationship with research, ” use of new learning and teaching methods, ” teaching load for staff and distribution of credits.The main procedure to evaluate and assure quality education is accreditation – by an external evaluation agency of curricula after every 5 years. The tasks of the Council as well as all the guide lines of accreditation should be defined by the Universities Act (UGC). Responsible authorities of Bangladesh should create an accreditation council for obligatory accreditation of all study programmes. Especially for Bangladesh, this body should be formed in affiliation with credible foreign counterparts, and with total independence from any government agency. An accreditation council will be helpful only if it is free from any political or other forms of manipulation. Accreditation decisions should be made by the Council on the basis of the report of the international commission, the decision should approved by the UGC & Minister of Education and Research.Accreditation certifies in a formalized and objectively verifiable process that a course of study fulfils minimum standards in terms of structure, subject and content, as well as in terms of its professional relevance. The main responsible body for quality assurance should be the Higher Education Quality Assessment Council (HEQAC). The structural guidelines amongst others must refer, to the structure and length of study. They specify that Bachelor’s study courses, and study courses which lead to a first degree qualifying for entry into a profession, must provide the academic foundation, methodological skills and qualifications related to the professional field. Furthermore, the structural guidelines distinguish between more research-oriented Master’s study courses and more practice-oriented ones. Bachelor’s and Master’s study courses should be provided with standard a credit point system which can be based upon the Bangladesh Credit Transfer System (BCTS) or South East Asian Credit Transfer System (SEACTS) or European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Besides external evaluation, an internal quality assurance system can also be established. The accreditation of study programmes through the implementation of an accreditation scheme by which the internal quality assurance system of an entire higher education institution is assessed for the quality of its learning and teaching. The responsibility for quality assurance in terms of the given criteria is thus transferred to the higher education institution. The subject of assessment is whether the higher education institution provides for a quality management system ensuring the implementation of these criteria. System accreditation aims at reducing the administrative burden of higher education institutions and to accelerate certification. Each faculty has the opportunity to fine-tune the quality assurance according to its specific situation. Yearly, an overall report can be discussed at several councils (education, research) and at the Board. All major aspects of quality assurance are represented: ” Quality of education cannot be assured without proper faculty” job description for staff (teaching, research, services), ” evaluation of staff based on these descriptions, ” evaluation by students and ” measuring work load for students. For continuous internal quality assurance, universities should set their own procedures. In order to compare the quality indicators (e.g. quality of M.S. & PhD thesis or criteria for electing a professor) and to ensure transparency, all public and all private universities can sign a Quality Assurance Agreement and can form a quality commission of the Rectors’ Council to implement the agreement.Next point will be to introduce formal ranking system among the departments of different universities, which would reflect the educational and research standards of the individual department. Proper accreditation of the academic institutions and departments is also important for the proper evaluation of the degrees of candidates and their appropriate job recruitment.The UGC should develop proper guidelines of the educational planning and curricula standardization for universities. For the implementation of the pre-approved curricula of universities a strong supervisory role is very much required from the UGC. ” Standardization of HES, introducing international standard Credit Transfer System” Upgrade of Curricula of all study programmes in Bangladesh” Curricula should be job and practical oriented with close coordinated with the industry” Accreditation of all Study programmes in BangladeshOn the other hand, the universities must present / house a proper higher advanced educational environment fully equipped with standard globally accredited curriculum. There should be ample room for study accompanying teachings on Ethics, Morale, Social responsibilities by experienced faculties as well as breathing spaces supplied by sports and creative activities to produce a healthy complete human. Only then will the education acquired be used to the benefit of the nation. In doing so Bangladesh will be benefited: a) The country will save substantial foreign currency. Because thousands of students no longer need to go abroad.b) According to credit transfer system Student will receive worldwide recognized degree.c) For students the duration of study period will be reduced by two to three years saving time in getting admission in foreign universities for higher degree leading to PhD etc.d) Their parents will save also a lot of money.Educationists must work together to come to a solution not for their own egoistic view but for the sake the country. The suggestion is to overcome all their differences and to work united to build a strong base and bring the education system to an international standard in the globalized world.(Prof. Dr.-Ing. Saifullah Khandker, Chairman, IGUB, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 136, 10623 Berlin, Germany, Email: [email protected])
