KAU holds BNQF seminar
A seminar on strengthening the quality of higher education through the Bangladesh National Qualifications Framework (BNQF) and accreditation was held at Khulna Agricultural University (KAU) on Monday.
Titled “Strengthening Higher Education through BNQF and Accreditation,” the seminar was organised by the university’s Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at the university auditorium at 10:00am. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Asaduzzaman Sarker attended the event as the chief guest, while Treasurer Prof Dr Shamim Ahmed Kamal Uddin Khan was present as the special guest.
Prof Dr Md Shahid Reza, professor of the Department of Fisheries Technology and additional director of IQAC at Bangladesh Agricultural University, and Prof Dr Murad Ahmed Faruk, professor of the Department of Environmental Science and additional director of IQAC, served as resource persons.
They discussed various aspects of ensuring quality in higher education, developing competency-based curricula and the accreditation process.
The speakers highlighted the concept, objectives and importance of BNQF, saying that merely awarding certificates is not enough in modern higher education. They said it is essential to clearly define the knowledge, skills, competencies and values that students are expected to acquire after completing an academic programme.
The national qualifications framework can play an important role in establishing a clear link between learning outcomes and competencies at different levels of education, they added.
The speakers also said accreditation provides opportunities to assess and improve the quality of a university’s academic programmes, curricula, teaching, research, infrastructure, student support services and administrative management.
Through the accreditation process, universities can identify their strengths and weaknesses and formulate effective plans for continuous improvement, they said.
Dr Naushin Jahan, acting director of IQAC at Khulna Agricultural University, chaired the seminar, while Md Zahurul Islam, acting additional director of IQAC, moderated it.
The speakers stressed the need to strengthen internal quality assurance mechanisms, implement outcome-based education, regularly review and update curricula, enhance students’ professional competencies, and ensure the recognition of higher education at national and international levels.
Teachers and officials attending the seminar gained insights into various aspects of implementing BNQF and the accreditation process. They also shared their views on strengthening IQAC activities to improve the overall quality of higher education.
Shadow deans of different faculties, department chairmen, teachers, officials and other relevant persons attended the seminar.
