NU reforms to improve higher education: Rizvi
BNP Standing Committee member and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed has said the ongoing reforms and modernisation initiatives of the National University (NU) will contribute positively to improving the quality of higher education in Bangladesh.
He made the remarks while addressing a discussion titled “The Spirit of July and Bangladesh of Tomorrow” as the chief guest at the Senate Building on the university’s main campus in Gazipur on Sunday, marking the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising.
National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Amanullah chaired the programme.
Rizvi said the National University is working to rebuild the education system following the July Mass Uprising and has undertaken various employment-oriented initiatives in line with the demands of the labour market.
“The benefits of the university’s reform initiatives must reach the grassroots, as a large part of the country’s higher education is delivered through colleges affiliated with the National University,” he said.
He said ensuring quality education across the university’s extensive affiliated-college network could bring significant positive changes to the country’s overall education system.
Referring to the July Mass Uprising, Rizvi said it was an expression of long-standing public grievances. He called for using the experience of July to institutionalise multiparty democracy in a way that would prevent authoritarianism from returning.
He also urged everyone to work with honesty, dedication and patriotism to build a democratic, accountable and humane state and strengthen democratic institutions.
Rizvi alleged that the previous government had ignored the country’s sovereignty and people’s interests to remain in power and had subjected people to repression through enforced disappearances, killings and other forms of authoritarianism.
He warned that authoritarianism could return in another form if democratic values and political unity were not maintained.
Speaking at the event, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Amanullah said the sacrifices of the July martyrs would be properly honoured only when accountable democracy was established in the country.
He said the university administration is working to bring the institution up to global standards, with emphasis on quality education, learning with happiness, third-language education and skills-based education.
The vice-chancellor said the indiscriminate introduction of honours and master’s programmes at affiliated colleges in the past had affected educational quality and oversight.
“Effective measures have now been taken to establish control in these areas, and significant progress has been made over the past two years,” he said.
He said the university has also taken initiatives to introduce modern, technology-based and skills-oriented courses, including artificial intelligence (AI), to provide students with timely and employment-oriented education.
Language learning and other skills-development programmes are also being prioritised to prepare students for the global job market, he added.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Lutfur Rahman delivered the welcome address, while Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Treasurer Professor Dr Md Nazmul Hossain addressed the event as special guests.
National University College Inspector (acting) Nazim Uddin Ahmed and Director of the Regional Coordination Office Md Aminul Akter moderated the programme.
Heads of various departments, officials and employees of the university were also present.
