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The demand of Universities n their subjects

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shibli:
Universities, both public and private, play a vital role in creating a pool of highly educated and trained specialists. In Bangladesh, thousands of students who pass the higher secondary examination cannot get admission to the few public universities due to limited seats. The lucky ones who do get admission become hostage to endemic campus violence, session jams and poor academic atmosphere. In order to alleviate the situation, the Government of Bangladesh, in 1992 promulgated an ordinance permitting the establishment of private universities. Some welcomed this development with a sigh of relief, while others viewed it with reservation. They argued that private universities in Bangladesh were destined to fail because those would not deliver enough benefits to the society. Some private universities, even while charging high tuition fees, do not maintain expected academic standards. Consequently, there is serious doubt about the efficacy of private universities in delivering quality higher education. The growing number of private universities and the manner of their operation raises questions and concerns. But the private universities in Bangladesh are playing a vital role in meeting the need of the society and their contribution in development of human resources in the country.

shibli:
The growth of private universities in Bangladesh is phenomenal. These universities offer degrees in subjects like Business Administration, Management Information System (MIS), Computer Engineering, Development Studies, English and so on. Besides, many private universities have expanded their programs from the undergraduate to the graduate level, by offering MBAs, Master in Economics, Master in Development Studies, Master in Computer Science, etc. Many private universities have introduced evening MBA Programs for professionals. Significant advantages that accrue to private universities are:

a. Flexibility. Private Universities are flexible and relatively free to introduce new subjects or discard non-demanding subjects based on market demand. Unlike public universities, these can readily modify their curriculum to suit changing requirements.

b. Adherence to Schedules. There is no session jam, student unrest or violence in private universities. During the days of political violence in 1994-96, private universities arranged regular make-up classes on holidays and in the evenings and could successfully graduate their students on time.

c. Credit Transfer to and Collaboration with Foreign Universities. Credit transfer to foreign universities and institutions are available in most private universities. Moreover, some of the better run private universities have developed academic linkages with a number of foreign universities through faculty and curriculum exchange, exchange of course materials, post graduate research collaboration, etc. Thus, students studying in private universities are getting a taste of the global learning environment. Among the 100 NSU graduates in 1999, 19 were pursuing higher studies abroad (12 were in universities in the USA, three were studying in universities in the U.K., two each in Canada and Australia) in MBA/MS programme.21 Teachers from foreign universities had also taught in these universities for one or more semesters. This enabled the university to update the curriculum, course content and teaching methods. One of the private universities has even appointed an academician from the Philippines as the Vice Chancellor.

d. Evaluation of Teachers. Teachers' qualifications in some of the better run private universities are higher than the public universities and UGC's guidelines. Masters or PhD degrees from North American Universities are preferred. The teaching ability of teachers is tested through demonstrative lectures. Moreover, students and senior teachers regularly assess teachers.

e. Career Services Department. Well-run private universities have a 'Career Services Department' through which final semester students are advised about their choice of profession and job prospects. Graduated students enlist their names and wait for a response. Teacher and staff responsible for this section maintain regular contact with prospective employers. The university staff assists graduates to secure suitable jobs. Frequent job fairs are arranged through the career assistance program.

f. Graduates Employment Prospect. Graduates of better and well reputed private universities like the NSU, IUB, AIUB, and USTC get suitable jobs. For example, in 1999, out of 100 students who had graduated from NSU, 50 were employed, 33 were pursuing higher studies (MBA/MS/PhD) at home or abroad and only 4 were unemployed till 2000. Information on the whereabouts of 13 graduates could not be collected. One of the private universities, USTC, which teaches medical science, has students from regional and developing countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Palestine and Saudi Arabia.24 Many private university graduates seek employment abroad. However, not all private universities enjoy the same reputation. The results of a survey conducted on 115 students and teachers of different categories of private universities, regarding their employment prospects shows that half of the students and their teachers were optimistic about suitable employment on graduation, the rest were unsure.

g. Emphasis on English Language and Computer Literacy. The medium of instruction in private universities is English and libraries have recent texts and other reference books. Many Bengali medium students attain proficiency in oral and written English in these universities. Students also
attain computer literacy. These proficiencies give them an advantage in the job market.

h. Collaboration with Industries and Companies. Private universities maintain a collaborative relationship with reputed industries, multi-national companies and corporate business houses, primarily to run students' internship program. This arrangement immensely benefits the students, as they can relate their theoretical knowledge to the practical field and can undertake field research. Moreover, practical knowledge acquired through internship gives an edge to private university graduates in the job market.

j. Financial Assistance Programs. All the private universities have financial support policies for the students. Full scholarships are given to the first few, who were at the top of the merit list (varies from university to university) of SSC and HSC examinations or have all 'A's in the O and A-level examinations. Tuition waivers are also given at different rates based on individual need and academic performance. A few private universities arrange part-time employment for needy students. However, private universities in general do not cater to students from a lower income group, unless they can qualify for a full or partial tuition fee waiver.

shibli:
The role of private universities in creating Entrepreneurs

The role of private universities in creating future entrepreneurs is very great. An entrepreneur is one who always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity. Can anyone be an entrepreneur? The answer is no. But with access to capital, minimum education facility and own creativity, many intelligent, energetic youth can be turned into a decent business people.

In a developing county like ours, the business education of private universities has a crucial role to play in contributing to the economic growth and providing employment opportunities. The private sector is the engine of innovation in all sectors of the economy. Entrepreneurship in Bangladesh currently thrives in two sectors of the economy -- among the poorest of the poor (14 million households) and among the well-off (about 2.5 million households).

Economic Development through Entrepreneurship Initiatives: No developing country can achieve sustained economic or social development without engaging effectively in the broader trade dependent economic environment. The role of such innovative entrepreneurial efforts greatly influences country's overall GDP, productivity, economic reform and social growth in the context of global economy. The long-term goal of entrepreneurial efforts aims to ensure that poor can contribute and share the benefits of growth through enhancing their purchasing power. It will in turn encourage economies to specialize in, and concentrate on, areas where these will add relative cost advantage over other economies. Eventually, this will become a strong tool for poverty alleviation.

Private universities such as North South University have already introduced courses like Development Studies and Economics which can create more future entrepreneurs like Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

shibli:
Thus the demand of business education of private universities is increasing. It’s said that business is like swimming. One can never learn swimming by reading books only. We feel that in our education system, especially in higher education, there is a missing-link between the universities and corporate world. Business faculty of private universities is trying to bridge up this gap. We know knowledge, skill and aptitude are key factors in the quest for sustainable human development. Bangladesh has to be a part of this quest. Universities are a mirror of a nation and the tool to measure the depth and the quality of knowledge is very necessary. Unfortunately, public universities in Bangladesh have fallen below regional and international standards. These institutions are faced with multifarious problems. It is no longer a debate whether private universities should continue to assist. Private universities especially the business faculty offers internship programs, modern systems and their graduates' better employment potentials add to their credit. Business education of private universities in Bangladesh definitely has contributions in socioeconomic development and human resource development, though at a high cost. Napoleon said, “Give me an educated mother, I will give you an educated nation”, but I would like to say, “Give me an educated mother in Business, I will give you good future leaders.” Because our country needs good managers, leaders and entrepreneurs. But without private universities, the dream will remain a dream only.

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