Special Correspondent :
Serious allegations of corruption have been raised against several officials of the Private University Branch of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh.
Sources with the Ministry of Education said that these officials have provided unethical favors to various private universities in exchange for illegal benefits.
According to the allegations, they have accepted cash bribes, expensive mobile phones, and other gifts, while also supporting illegal occupiers in disputes over university ownership.
It is alleged that many of these UGC officials have arranged jobs for their relatives in various private universities, either directly or indirectly. Additionally, they have reportedly sided with illegal occupiers in ownership disputes involving private universities that were forcibly seized during the fascist government regime. These actions have raised concerns about the transparency and governance of the higher education system.
Recently, Dr. Ferdous Zaman, former secretary of the UGC, was temporarily suspended following allegations of corruption. He has been accused of accepting bribes on multiple occasions. The UGC authorities suspended him under Section 11(1) of the Government Employees (Discipline and Appeal) Rules 1985 and formed a three-member investigation committee led by UGC member Atful Hye Shibly.
A research report conducted by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) highlighted that irregularities and corruption occur at every stage, from granting approval to establish private universities to passing students. Following the publication of this report, the Ministry of Education and the UGC took the matter seriously, initiating an investigation and requesting relevant information from all private universities in the country.
Education experts believe that ensuring transparency and accountability in the operations of the UGC and private universities is crucial to maintaining the quality of higher education in the country. Meanwhile, various quarters have demanded swift legal action against those involved in corruption.
Discussions are ongoing among responsible officials of the Ministry of Education and the UGC regarding the matter. However, further action will be taken based on the final report of the investigation committee, according to relevant sources. Experts have called for strict measures against the culprits to establish good governance in the education sector.
