Bangladesh University Grants Commission Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Faiz has said that a decision will be taken soon on launching PhD programs in private universities in the country. Approval will be given to suitable universities to launch PhD programs after verifying their overall capabilities.
He said this as the chief guest at a view-sharing meeting with stakeholders on the Private Universities Act-2010 (Amendment-2024) on Monday, May 12, 2025. The meeting was held at the UGC Auditorium.
Professor Dr. SMA Faiz said in his speech that universities are an integral part of society. Various problems of society also affect universities. Therefore, universities should conduct research on social problems and find solutions to the problems.
He called on the university authorities to take necessary initiatives to fulfill their expectations by seriously understanding the aspirations and mental state of students in the changing social and political context. He further said that UGC does not want to see public and private universities separately in the quality improvement and expansion of higher education. He commented that UGC does not want to be a regulatory authority but rather a supporting institution to play a role in improving the quality of higher education and research. He assured everyone that the constructive recommendations given by the participants in the meeting would be taken into consideration.
The meeting was chaired by UGC’s Private Universities Division Director Dr. Md. Sultan Mahmud Bhuiyan and the in-charge member of UGC’s Private Universities Division, Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, was present as a special guest.
Speaking as a special guest, Professor Dr. Anwar Hossain said that private universities in the country are playing an important role in the expansion of higher education. Along with the expansion of higher education, these universities must take necessary initiatives to ensure the quality of education within a proper legal framework.
He further said that UGC is playing the role of a supporting institution to ensure the quality of education and research in private universities. Based on the opinions of the relevant experts, the process of preparing and amending laws and various policies related to private universities is ongoing. He expressed his opinion that initiatives can be taken to amend the Private Universities Act-2010 for the smooth management of private universities to meet the needs of the era. He called on all stakeholders to make this initiative of UGC successful by providing well-considered opinions.
The program was attended by Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, Rajshahi University Vice Chancellor Dr. Saleh Hasan Nakib, Jagannath University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim, North Saith University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, East West University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Shams Rahman, National University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Md. Nurul Islam, BRAC University Dean Professor Dr. Yusuf Haider, Bangladesh Private Universities Association President and Daffodil International University Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, former Chairman of the National Board of Revenue Dr. Mohammad Abdul Majid, nominated representatives of various public and private universities, UGC Secretary, directors of various departments and concerned officials were present.
Senior Assistant Director of the Private Universities Department of UGC Noori Shahreen Islam presented the program.
