UGC wants to bring students of all subjects under internships within five years

Photo: Collected

University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed has spoken about improving the quality of higher education, the international standing of the country’s universities and the road ahead. A professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Dhaka University, he earlier served as the university’s pro-vice-chancellor (academic). He was interviewed by Abdur Razzak Khan, in-charge of Ajker Patrika’s education and career section.

Mamun Ahmed: We have a fair idea of the problems, challenges and prospects of higher education in the country. There are now around 180 universities in the country — around 117 private, 61 public and the remaining 2 international. Over the past 20-30 years, both universities and students have increased a great deal. This shows that students, parents and society are interested in higher education. But the question of quality remains. There is a perception in society that although numbers have risen, quality is not being ensured accordingly.

There are some challenges too. After studying for four or five years and graduating, students do not find much match between their studies and the workplace. Even when someone wants to become an entrepreneur, that venture does not connect with their education. The relationship between industry and academia has also not developed as it should. So we have two big tasks ahead — ensuring quality, and building a link between education and the workplace and life.

After taking charge, we held a national workshop. The Honourable Prime Minister, vice-chancellors of various universities, policymakers, and leaders from industry and civil society were present. Taking their views, we have adopted a strategic plan for transforming higher education over the next five years, implementation of which will begin soon. Its main pillars are improving the quality of education, introducing work-oriented programmes including internships, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and introducing a third language in line with the government’s priorities. Ethics education, digital literacy and soft skills are also part of it.

Mamun Ahmed: Historically, the task of a university was to create, disseminate and preserve knowledge. Now another consideration has been added — how skilled students have become with the knowledge they acquired, and how far those skills have been of use to the country’s development and economy. We want the necessary transformation of education by bringing together quality education, research, technological knowledge and skills development.

Mamun Ahmed: In one sense we have succeeded. Thirty years ago there were 6-7 public universities; now there are 61. Private universities have also increased. As a result, many of those who used to go abroad to study are now studying at home. There is no doubt that some students still go abroad in search of quality education. If quality education can be ensured at home, this number will gradually fall. The government and the UGC are working towards that goal. As part of this, we want to build an education hub with quality universities, where regional and foreign students as well as the country’s own students will be able to study.

Mamun Ahmed: This is very encouraging. In just 25-30 years, the universities have shown this success by providing international-standard education. Several universities, including Daffodil International University, North South University, BRAC University and AIUB, are ahead. I congratulate them. This trend must be maintained.

Mamun Ahmed: Those doing well must not stop. Students, teachers and researchers need a better research environment so that everyone can get involved in research. Then they will advance further in international recognition. Those with limitations should try to overcome them and do well in the rankings — that is what we want.

Mamun Ahmed: In research, the UGC encourages all universities without discriminating between public and private. Our research funding is competitive. Those who submit quality proposals will receive grants after proper scrutiny. The same rule applies to awards such as the gold medal or the UGC Award.

Mamun Ahmed: This is truly one of the major crises in our higher education. The way out is to update course curricula and syllabuses, and to do so together with job market experts. Then there will be some improvement. But producing graduates only for the job market is not the sole goal of a university. Acquiring knowledge, creating and preserving knowledge through research, and market-relevant skills — all of these together make up modern education. We are shaping all universities, public and private alike, in that way.

Mamun Ahmed: Modernising syllabuses and curricula is an important part of our strategic plan. Students must acquire knowledge, create new knowledge through research and graduate with modern skills so that they find work at home and abroad. That is why we are arranging for them to learn a third language alongside Bangla and English. A project has been taken up to set up language learning centres at 50 universities, and they will be inaugurated soon. We want to set up a placement centre, a career development centre, an innovation centre and an international centre at every university, so that students get the chance to put their skills to use and links are built with foreign universities.

Preparations are under way to introduce internships to connect industry and academia. At present, agriculture and medical graduates get internships. There is a plan to bring students of all subjects at universities under this within the next five years.

Mamun Ahmed: AI is now a reality. We want to take its good sides and leave out its bad sides. The UGC is preparing an AI policy framework on how its good sides can be retained in academic practice. In line with that, each university will draw up its own AI policy and specify where AI will be allowed and where it will not. We see AI as a reality and an opportunity.

Mamun Ahmed: There is a shortage of quality teachers at 116 private universities — that is a reality. You cannot call for good teachers today and get them tomorrow; it will take time. We are focusing on expanding PhD, postdoc and master’s programmes for teachers. Various training is also being provided so that they do better at work.

Mamun Ahmed: Whether public or private, every university will ensure quality education — that is what we want. That education will be relevant to the workplace and of international standard. Graduates will come out with quality education, high ethics and values — such an environment and such universities are what we want to ensure.

Background

According to a BSS report of 17 March, Professor Mamun Ahmed was appointed UGC chairman for four years under section 4(1)(a) of the ‘Bangladesh University Grants Commission Act, 1973’.

According to a Khobor Sangjog report of 16 March, Professor Dr SMA Faiz resigned as UGC chairman that morning citing personal and physical reasons; within a few hours, the education minister announced the name of the new chairman.

Sources

Original report: Ajker Patrika

Background sources: BSS, 17 March 2026; Khobor Sangjog, 16 March 2026