Private University Supervision Hampered by UGC Manpower Crisis

Book sales in Bangladesh have dropped by about 50% over the past two months due to recent socio-political unrest, including student-led protests. Contributing factors include rising inflation, reduced purchasing power, the closure of educational institutions, and flooding.

Brac Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brac Kumon to provide financing support for Brac Kumon franchisees. This strategic partnership aims to support franchisees who have reached their maximum business capacity and need financial assistance to expand their operations, allowing them to serve more children and students.

The Sheikh Russell Textile Engineering College project in Sylhet, originally budgeted at Tk 110.36 crore, has faced significant cost overruns and delays. The project, initially planned for completion within three and a half years, has been extended multiple times and is now set to finish by December 2025. The cost has escalated to Tk 149 crore, with a proposed increase of Tk 18 crore in the second amendment.

A recent report reveals that a significant number of highly educated individuals in Bangladesh, including over 2,477 PhD holders registered on the Ami Probashi app, are opting for blue-collar jobs abroad due to limited local job prospects. Among them, 1,879 PhD holders chose "labourer" roles, highlighting a mismatch between qualifications and job availability.

The European Union (EU) has granted EUR 60.125 million (approximately Tk 760.58 crore) to support Bangladesh's education system as part of a larger budget support operation worth EUR 245 million. This funding aims to enhance primary education, technical and vocational education, and training (TVET) in line with Bangladesh's 2010 National Education Policy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Private University Division of the University Grants Commission (UGC) oversees 110 authorized private universities in Bangladesh with just 14 officials, far below the necessary 30 needed for effective management. This manpower shortage hinders routine tasks and delays responses to allegations of irregularities in universities.