When Dhaka University was established in 1921, there was no other higher education institution in the region. Calcutta was the center of education, literature and commerce in the Bengal region. After partition in 1947, Dhaka became the new center of dreams and hopes of the people of East Bengal. Dhaka University facilitates this task of changing the center. In addition to spreading higher education, the institution played an important role in gaining rights and independence of Bangladesh through various movements and struggles.
The policies, strategies and plans adopted by the University of Dhaka in higher education, the various public and private universities of the country take special note of and try to follow in possible cases. But the sad thing is that the power and opportunity that the 1973 Ordinance gave to Dhaka University, the power and opportunity of the ruling politics has largely destroyed that power and opportunity. In order to face the challenges of the future, Dhaka University should be committed to implement the education development plan in the national interest.
Expanded campus in Purbachal
Dhaka University received about 52 acres of land in Purbachal from Rajuk in 2018. There are plans to build a research and innovation campus on this land. Apart from that, multi-initiative centers will be created there to strengthen the university’s relationship with industry and capital. A preliminary decision has also been taken to establish a medical faculty there.
But even after more than five and a half years of allotment, that land has not come to the hands of Dhaka University. This concussion raises questions about the government’s sense of responsibility towards higher education. The university authorities also could not make the specific structure of that plan.
Lagging behind in research and innovation
Dhaka University is lagging behind in research and innovation. Dhaka University wants to become a superior research institution by 2035 by implementing academic and infrastructural plans. In continuation of this, by 2045, it wants to be identified as a first-rate research institution.
But the quality of education in the university has reached rock bottom due to the limitation of allocated development budget, interest of teachers to work outside the university and lack of learning environment on campus. Failure to increase funding for research and innovation and depoliticize campuses from opportunistic trends will have a negative impact on national development.
Lack of teacher skills
The teachers who are appointed in all the universities of the country, including Dhaka University, directly start academic work without any training. As a result they have only subjective knowledge. There is no understanding of the process and field of research and the curriculum and teaching methods.
Presently Dhaka University has designed training courses for young teachers under the supervision of Institutional Quality Assurance Cell. Among them more than half a hundred teachers have done this course. But it is necessary to add another additional thematic training course according to the additional needs of each department over the base course.
Infrastructure development
University authorities feel that if the physical infrastructure plan is fully implemented, the academic floor space including modern laboratories will increase from 2.75 lakh square feet to 6 million square feet. Apart from this, the development plan includes the construction of footpaths and cycle lanes, waterlogging and rainwater harvesting, waste management and solar power generation, greening and noise pollution control, reservoir conservation and beautification, etc. But it is not easy to implement these plans for the university which has developed road and transport system for the public and there are various infrastructures and institutions outside the university.
Enhance student benefits
At present, about 1,500 students can sit in the central library. This number has been doubled in the new plan. Apart from that, there are plans to create a separate playground and swimming pool for female students. Part-time job opportunities for students have been increased in the university.
Apart from this, a new policy has been made this year to bring most of the students admitted in the first year under the scholarship. Each student will be given a scholarship of at least four thousand rupees per month. Initiatives will also be taken so that students get direct work experience from various public and private institutions and industries and factories.
Mental health of students
The hope with which the students entered Dhaka University, in a very short time, their hope was shattered. Political outrage, sexual harassment, housing crisis, ragging culture keep them mentally constricted. It also has implications for education and research. A guideline has been developed under the supervision of the University’s Office of Student Guidance and Counseling to protect their mental health. Following this, the program to train the students from the first year has been taken up. But the university administration is often reluctant to solve the problems that the students do not have control over.
Use of technology
During the Covid-19 pandemic, it is possible to realize the need for online education programs. Utilizing that experience, Dhaka University ICT Cell has now developed two separate software for conducting classes and exams. ICT Cell is playing a key role in the overall automation process of the University. The Central Online Admission Office and the Office of the Controller of Examinations are also assisting in this automation process.
“Digital-documents” or “D-documents” are being introduced for file management in all offices of the university including administrative buildings. As a result of this, transparency and speed of work will be ensured in Dhaka University. Apart from this, smart ID cards with different types of uses and applications are being given to the teachers-students and officers-employees of the university.
Improving the quality of education
In order to raise the quality of education to the desired level, Dhaka University has made learning evaluation or teaching evaluation mandatory by students every semester. Students can do this assessment online from their ID. It is hoped that soon this survey will increase the responsibility of the course teachers.
Apart from this, initiatives have been taken to introduce monographs or projects for every undergraduate student to encourage research. And at the postgraduate level, it has been decided to bring at least one-third of the students under the thesis group in each batch. However, since a large number of students will regularly participate in the study, special caution is also necessary. Otherwise after a few years ‘ready-made copies’ of all Abhisandarvars will be available in Neelkhet’s photocopy shop – there is also a fear!
Research and Innovation Fair
In the month of March 2024, a day-long innovation fair was held at Dhaka University with ideas for various innovative products and service inventions. 40 innovative products and 61 innovative service concepts were presented at the fair. Apart from that, two more research fairs were held in the university this year.
The world’s leading universities collaborate with a variety of industries and factories on effective research. As a result, there is no problem in recouping the money spent on the research sector. Different departments of Dhaka University have to create this opportunity separately.
Autonomy is in name only
In 1961, General Ayub Khan’s government curtailed the autonomy of Dhaka University and imposed government control. Then there was a lot of anger among the students and teachers. After independence, Dhaka University regained its autonomy in 1973.
But the teaching and research activities of the university are hindered due to the lack of full power to control and spend money. Apart from that, due to the appointment of teachers to various administrative and academic positions, mainly due to political considerations, the teachers are weak in protecting the rights of the university. Recently, the latest example of ‘autonomy’ was seen with the pension scheme. Teachers are being forced to accept the new proposed ‘certification scheme’ despite strong objections.
The closer the planning and implementation can be, the more intensive the improvement of the education system will be. Dhaka University has full scope to become unique in education and research. For this, first of all, it is necessary to appoint real talents as teachers and to ensure an educational environment in the classrooms and halls of residence. In the field of higher education, if Bangladesh’s limitations and capabilities cannot be planned, the nation’s expectations of Dhaka University will not be fulfilled.
