This research proposal is made for academic purpose. It shows that how COVID-19 can change our education system. In Bangladesh, higher education is transforming online from traditional classroom.

1. Online Education in Public and Private
Universities of Dhaka during COVID-19
Course Name : Social Theory and Methods of Social Research
Course Code : GED462
Prepared by:
Name: Jahid Khan Rahat
ID : 171011211
Submitted to:
Haseeb Md. Irfanullah, PhD
Visiting Research Fellow
Center for Sustainable Development (CSD)
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB)
Submission Date: 1st October, 2020

2. Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................1
Research Objective............................................................................................2
Research Questions...........................................................................................2
Literature Review..............................................................................................2
COVID-19 ........................................................................................................2
Online Education ............................................................................................2
Role of Technology .........................................................................................3
Role of Private University................................................................................3
Role of Public University .................................................................................3
Assessment System.........................................................................................3
Universities of Dhaka......................................................................................4
Knowledge gap ...............................................................................................4
Conceptual Framework.....................................................................................4
Methodology.....................................................................................................5
Methods .........................................................................................................6
Survey.............................................................................................................6
Interview.........................................................................................................7
Methodology.....................................................................................................8
Deliverables.......................................................................................................9
Research Report .............................................................................................9
Journal Article.................................................................................................9
Press Release..................................................................................................9
Resources Required...........................................................................................9
References.......................................................................................................11

3. Introduction
A recent study by UNESCO founded that about 1.2 billion students are staying away from
educational institution because of the coronavirus, popularly known as COVID-19. (Giannin,
2020). The pandemic has badly affected in global education. So, world leading universities
such as Oxford University and Harvard University shift to virtual education system. (Askari,
2020) . On 6th
March University of Washington was the first major university that cancelled
their exam. (Smalley, 2020). In addition, in middle of same month 1,100 college and
university were cancelled their exam around 50 states of USA. Some of the universities take
hybrid model that is limited number of students can access to the university. Harvard
University and Princeton University take such kind of action for ensuring stable research
activities. Other universities conducting their class on online. According to the report, 36%
universities were cancelled their admission programme during COVID-19 period. (Smalley,
2020).
Universities of Bangladesh are following the instruction given by Education Minister and to
University Grants Commission (UGC). (Abdullah, 2020). However, according to University
Grants Commission (UGC), Bangladesh is not capable yet for conducting online activities
due to lack of facilities and fund. (Abdullah, 2020). In Bangladesh around 3.2 million students
are studding within 32 public university and 84 private university. (Mannan, 2017). Here first
three COVID-19 patients were identified on March 8th
, 2020 and all universities were closed
by March 17th
, 2020. (Islam D. M., 2020). As all those university closed up to uncertain time,
to avoid the study gap both public and private universities start online classes. Online class
is a new idea in Bangladesh, so students and faculty are not properly prepared in this
system. As a result, both faculty and students are facing some difficulties in conducting
online classes.
In general, Universities of Bangladesh are suffered for session jams. (Tanvir, 2010). Both
public and private universities are facing the problem. However, it is trying to overcome the
situation. Sometimes it requires 7 to 8 years to complete 4-years undergraduate courses.
The political instability, irregular class schedule and unwanted closer is the main reason for
session jam. In fact, during COVID-19 the session jams become more worse. To avoid such
kind of session jams universities are decided to conduct online classes. (Tanvir, 2010).
At present we know about three basic components for doing online classes. Those
components are digital devices, high-speed internet, and platform. (Zaman, 2020). On the
other hand, we have knowledge gap regarding proper online student performance
assessment system. Moreover, we are not able to use efficiently our resources for
conducting online classes. (Abdullah, 2020).
This research has significant importance because here we try to find out online education
outcome, potential assessment of student performance and deficiency of resources while
conducting online classes. After concluding this research, UGC can standardised a policy
that can distribute resources equally among universities students and make a standard
grading system.
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4. Research Objective
To investigate the quality of online teaching and assessment of student performance as well
as the resources needed to conduct online classes.
Research Questions
1. How much concerned are students about the study gap and voluntary participation in
online classes?
2. What kind of technological properties have both students and teachers?
3. What kind of technological knowledge do not have both faculty and students?
4. What difficulties do teachers face when evaluating students’ performance in online
classes?
5. What steps should be taken by education policy makers to create a smooth online
education system?
Literature Review
This literature review purpose is verifying the research that is available in similar field. Since
our country has lack of research on this relevant topic, the review is being conducted based
on research from different countries. In addition, the literature review section of research can
describe importance of conducting this research.
COVID-19
Coronavirus first identified at Wuhan, China in 2019. (Onyema, et al., 2020) The world was
not prepared for the outbreak of COVID-19. However, World Health Organization (WHO)
provide a quick guideline to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. As a result, many
countries give lockdown and people are using work from home. Most of the country-imposed
military for forcing people staying at home. Resident gets medical services, banking services
and education by using online resources. Moreover, domestic, and international level sports
closed because of COVID-19. All the educational institution closed down due to coronavirus.
As a result, educational activities such as examination, classes, assignment, and
presentation badly hampered. In fact, economics activities also hampered because of
COVID-19. (Onyema, et al., 2020).
Online Education
Traditional education system is changing because of COVID-19. (Basilaia & Kvavadze,
2020). In the past, students use to conduct their class by using blackboard, classroom and
book. On the other hand, online education system is totally different from traditional
education system. Student are now conducting classes by using desktops, laptops, and
tables. However, broadband, and mobile data is used for connection. In fact, several
software such as Zoom, Google meet and EduPage are popularly used for conducting
classes. In the supports of online education, students enrich knowledge from remote area.
(Basilaia & Kvavadze, 2020).
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5. Role of Technology
Technology is essential part of our life. Like others sector, education needs technological
instruments for accepting 21st
century’s challenges. (Khan, 2014). Technology helps
conducting online classes that is an updated version of distance learning. A research based
on Online Language Teacher Education (OLTE) showed that teacher can be develop their
technological knowledge by training. According to this research, teacher can get training at
three stages that are preservice, Inservice and ongoing service stages. Nowadays
educational institutions are use multimedia classroom, virtual realities and computerize
automated instrument for doing classes. Bangladesh government also try to combine
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and education sector for achieving
digital Bangladesh goal. (Khan, 2014).
Role of Private University
In Bangladesh private universities are established under Private University Act 1992,
approved by Bangladesh government. (Islam & Salma, 2016). It can develop manpower,
enhance efficiency level as well as critical thinking power. In fact, the demand of higher
education is increasing day by day. As a result, private universities have a significant
demand in our country. In order to availability of higher education in Bangladesh,
government is permitting to establishing private universities. However, government has
entirely control over the private university approvement and rejection. University of Grant
Commission (UGC) is the regulatory body to control private university education quality and
other factors. Private university has capacity to adopt the changes of education sector. As a
result, transection to online from traditional classroom is very easy for private universities.
(Islam & Salma, 2016).
Private Universities has a tendency of using business model that is maximization of profit.
(Mazumder, 2013). As a result, the quality of private university is badly hampered. The
universities focused to earn money instead of quality education. In addition, resources such
as computer laboratory, chemistry research laboratory and pharmacy laboratory are limited
at private university. So, students are facing problem while they do their practical. In case of
online education, there is no opportunity of doing practical things. It is one of the biggest
limitations of conducting online classes. (Mazumder, 2013).
Role of Public University
After the liberation war of Bangladesh, the number of public universities is increased
significantly. (Ahmmed, 2013). In Bangladesh most of the students are trying to get
admission at a public university. But the seat capacity is very limited at public university.
There are several reasons for selecting public university. The Public university has wide
range of subjects, collaboration with national and international universities, sufficient
resources and high opportunity to attend seminar or workshop.
Assessment System
Assessment has a strong impact on effective learning. (Baleni, 2015). In case of higher
education assessment must be more formal. It helps to evaluate students’ academic
progress. Moreover, teacher can identity student concentration and effort by maintaining
proper assessment system. A study proven that assessment influence students to their
academic learning. A term “backwash” refers to forcing students to learn by the assessment
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6. system. However, traditional classrooms and online assessment systems are completely
different from each other. In online assessment, teacher use technology to take exam, give
feedback and have a group discussion. It is popularly known as e-assessment. (Baleni,
2015).
In online assessment system, teacher focus on the quality and quantity of opinion that a
student has regarding on particular matter. (Robles & Braathen, 2012). However, student’s
ethic is highly required for taking exam. In addition, self-assessment can be used for
evaluating student performance. Moreover, teacher can evaluate a student by analysing
competitive thinking capacity. Case study, threaded discussions, group projects,
conversational quality and peer review can be a possible solution for online assessment.
(Robles & Braathen, 2012).
Universities of Dhaka
In Dhaka there is 48 Private universities and 9 Public universities. (Jasim & Siddiqui, 2019).
The average number of students in private university is 4,570 and average number of
teachers is 224. On the other hand, public universities have significant number of teacher
and students. Each 5.38 square kilometre of Dhaka has a university. (Jasim & Siddiqui,
2019).
Knowledge gap
The research purpose to fill up the study gap providing information to University Grant
Commission (UGC). It could be helping to mitigating study gap of universities student by
establishing a policy and standard framework. As a result, during COVID-19 we can conduct
our online class frequently. Moreover, it could be help students doing online courses when
the pandemic is over.
Conceptual Framework
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7. This conceptual framework shows how COVID-19 is transforming our education system into
online based education. However, the research will be forced on public and private
universities education system. The conceptual framework is aimed only north Dhaka and
south Dhaka universities. In fact, it can describe the connection between online classes and
resources. Online classes require resources such as software, high-speed internet and
smart devices. There is a strong relation between those resources and fulfilment of study
gap. If students and teachers have accessibility, affordability and adaptability of the
resources, the session jam problem can be solved. Study gap indicates continuing our
education without session jam. There is high probability to sustain online education system
in long run.
The high access, affordability and adaptability of resources can be higher chances of
possible outcome. Those factors have positive impact on conducting online classes. As a
result, it built relation between online education and possible outcome of the research.
After conducting the research, we will develop a policy under University Guaranteed
Commission (UGC). As a result, public and private university would get a guideline to
conduct online education fluently. Moreover, teachers will be getting a standard assessment
policy that help to give proper grading to the students. Finally, our research objective can be
fulfilled by providing quality education to our students.
Methodology
In this research will be followed mixed methods as I will collect data from conducting survey
and the interview. So, both qualitative and qualitative data will be collected to conducting the
research. The survey will be providing quantitative data and interview will be provided
qualitative data.
This research has four different types of group that is: students, teachers, parents, and
education administration. As a result, I select mixed methods. The number of students in
public and private universities is very high. So, survey methods will be applied for collecting
data from students. On the other hand, I want to collect information in details from teacher,
parents, and education administration. So, interview is most appropriate methods for
collecting data from those population. Moreover, teachers, parents, education administration
are not comfortable for conducting survey. So, interview will be used for collecting data from
teacher, parents and education administration.
Mixed Method
Survey Methods
Private Univrsity Students
Public Univrsity Students
Interview Methods
Public and Privte
universities teachers
Parents
Education administration
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8. Methods
As the research will focus on mixed methods, I will follow explanatory data collection
methods. At first, I will be conducting survey to the students then I will take interview from
teachers, parent and education administration. I want to collect data in details as a result I
select explanatory data collection methods. However, interview has flexibility to ask open
ended question. So, I can gather more information from candidate.
Survey
The research will be conducted on Public and Private university of Dhaka. The student’s
population size in public and private university of Dhaka is 8,53,267 (Bangladesh Education
of Statistics 2019) where public university student is 4,54,530 and private university students
is 3,98,737. The statistics shows that around 53.26 % students’ studies in public university.
On the other hand, the number of private university students is 46.74%. It also shows that
30.07% of total students are female and 69.93% students are male. (Naher, Tanim, &
Sultana, 2019).
The research will follow random survey methods. I will used surveyMonkey to get the simple
size. At 95% confidence level with 5% margin error our sample size will be 384 on our total
population. As the population size is very huge so I will select random methods. I will pick
students randomly, so every student has equal chance to being selected. However, I find a
pattern that shows that I will have to conduct survey 204 students from public university and
180 students from private universities. Moreover, it requires 265 male students and 119
female students. But I will ensure that each student has equal chance for being selected.
Details Number of
Students
Survey Male
(69.93%)
Female
(30.07%)
Public University (53.26%) 4,54,530 204 141 63
Private University (46.74%) 3,98,737 180 124 56
Total 8,53,267 384 265 119
As it is random survey methods, I will have to visit different public and private university
premises. For conducting the research, I select Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University,
Jagannath University, BUET, Dhaka Medical College and Sir Salimullah Medical College. It
will cover both Dhaka north and south public university. On the other hand, I will select North
South University (NSU), BRAC University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, Northern
University, United International University, Daffodil University, World University, Green
University, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Popular Hospital and
Bongobondhu Medical College as my private university. During the time of selecting
university I want to make combination of different type of university. So, the research will get
the data from students of different background and discipline.
In this survey questioner I want to know about:
1. Are students concerned about session jam and they are ready to participate online class?
2. Do students have accessibility, affordability, and adoptability of the technological
resources?
3. Do universities provide students enough course material such as PDF book?
4. Are faculty member is flexible while doing online class and assessment students properly?
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9. The survey will be conducting based on online and paper based. As COVID -19 causes
education institution closed. So, online survey is a best option. I will used google doc file for
conducting survey. On the other hand, I have printed 150 survey paper that is collected on
student dormitory where several numbers of public and private university students live.
Interview
I will collect information from conducting interview teacher, parents and education
administration. For conducting interview, I must make an appointment just 1 week before the
interview. I will take permission to record their interview session on smart phone. After
conducting the interview, I have to find pattern and make a document of their interview
session.
I will take interview 3 teacher from public and 3 teachers from private university. The teacher
will be selecting randomly from NSU, ULAB, BRAC, Dhaka University, BUET and Dhaka
Medical College. I will collect email from those universities website and set an appointment
just before a week. However, as education authority such as Dipu moni and Kazi
Shahidullah directly dealing with online education system. I want to take interview from them.
I want to take interview session by using Google Zoom Apps. I will also take permission to
record the interview session. The mail also be attached possible question that I will be asked
on the interview session. Parents phone number will be collected from student’s survey.
I want to know from the teacher and education administration about:
1.What kind of difficulties they faced while conducting online classes?
2. Is university provide sufficient technological resources that is required to conduct the
class?
3. What kind of methods they used for assessing the students?
4. What kind of problem they faced while grading students?
5. During online examination what is the main problem students and teacher faced?
6. What is the possible future of online education system?
As parents observed students at home. I also want to take interview from parents. They will
provide us clear information about student’s wiliness regarding online classes
•North South University, ULAB, BRAC University teacher
•Dhaka University, BUET and Dhaka Medical College teacherTeacher
•Parents from Public university students
•Parents from Private university StudentsParents
•Education Minister : Dipu Moni
•UGC Chairman : Kazi Shahidullah
•ULAB Vice Chancellor : H. M. Jahirul Haque
•Dhaka University Vice Chancellor : Md. Akhtaruzzaman
Education
system
authority
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10. Workplan
My research work plan is within 8 weeks that will be started from 1st
November,2020 and
ended 31st
December 2020.
Activities Weeks
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
1. Select Dhaka north and south as my study site
2. Develop a survey questionnaire for public and private
universities students of Dhaka
3. Test the survey questionnaire on selective students and
finding survey error
4. Make correction of survey questionnaire error
5. Finalize the survey questionnaire
6. Develop questions for teacher, students, parents, and
education administrative
7. Identify both public and private universities Vice chancellor,
teacher, and Student’s parents to take interview. Select
education minister and UGC Chairman as interviewees
8. Conduct the survey and collect data from the students of
public and private of Dhaka
9. Enter data into excel file from the survey
10. Analyze survey data collecting from students of public and
private university of Dhaka
11. Set an appointment to Vice Chancellor, teacher of public and
private university of Dhaka, the Education Minister, UGC
Chairmen and students’ parents
12. Conduct the interviews of Vice Chancellor, teacher, Education
Minister, UGC Chairmen and students’ parents
13. Enter data into word file and find pattern
14. Analyze interview to conducting research and Press release
15. Prepare Research Report
16. Submit draft report to press release and journal article
17. Submit final Research Report and publish as Journal and
Research Report
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11. Deliverables
The research will be published in Research Report, Journal Article, Press Release. I will
publish the research as progress report and complete report. As it takes 8 weeks to
complete the report, I will publish the progress report after completing 5th
week and 7th
week.
It also helps people to let them know about the research.
Research Report
After completing my research, I will send it to peer review to check the authenticity of the
report. I will include the interviewee names and research assistant name in my research paper.
The research paper will be available both PDF and book version. The PDF will be available in
ResearchGate and Educational Resources Information Center. Book version is available on
15th
January 2021 with very reasonable price.
Journal Article
I will publish research in online Journal article. I will publish it in International Organization of
Scientifics Research (IOSR) journal. It is very popular journal website so I will select the site
for publishing my research. It will be published at the end of January 2020.
Press Release
As publishing my progress report and partly research I will select The Daily Star newspaper.
In this press release I will describe interview and survey findings very briefly. I try to interpret
all my research findings very briefly. However, I will publish press release in 5th
and 8th
week
of my research.
Resources Required
For conducting the research, I will need some resources that is descried in the table below:
Activities Details Calculations Total Cost
(Taka)
A. Human resource
Research assistant • Per assistant 500 taka per day
• Needed 2 assistant
• Need assistant for 16 days
500 × 2 × 16 16,000
B. Travel Expense
Rickshaw fare • Average cost 30 taka per fare
• 40 times within 8th
month
30 × 40 1,200
CNG fare • Average 200 taka
• 10 times within 8th
month
200 × 10 2000
C. Logistics Expense
Meeting cost • Meeting room rent 500 per day
• 16 meeting within 8th
month
500 × 16 8,000
Photocopy • Survey questionnaire photocopy
• 150 questionnaire + 50 others
• Per paper cost 1 taka
200 × 1 200
Printing cost • Important PDF article print 100 150 × 3 450
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12. • Other documents print 50
• Per print cost 3 Taka
Refreshments • Snack 100 taka per box
• 16 meeting with assistant
• 3 persons
100 × 16 × 3 4,800
Stationary • Envelope 50 taka
• Stapler pin 50 taka
• Pen 100 taka
• Notebook 200 taka
• A4 size paper 350 taka
• File 150 taka
50 + 50 + 100
+ 200 + 350
+ 150
900
D. Communication
Internet expense • Per month 1000 taka
• 8 months of research
1,000 × 8 8,000
Mobile expense • Per month 100 taka
• 8 months of research
100 × 8 800
Total 42,350
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13. References
Abdullah, M. (2020, June 5). UGC: Universities not ready to conduct online classes. Retrieved from
Dhaka Tribute: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/education/2020/06/05/ugc-
universities-not-ready-to-conduct-online-
classes#:~:text=Universities%20in%20Bangladesh%20are%20not,University%20Grants%20C
ommission%20(UGC).
Ahmmed, M. M. (2013, June). Higher Education in Public Universities in Bangladesh. Journal of
Management and Science, 3(2), 2-4. Retrieved August 27, 2020, from
http://jms.nonolympictimes.org
Askari, R. (2020, June 4). Virtual learning is no longer the future- it is here. Retrieved from The Daily
Star: https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/virtual-learning-no-longer-the-future-it-
here-1908433
Baleni, Z. G. (2015). Online formative assessment in higher education: Its pros and cons. The
Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 13( 4), 228-230. Retrieved August 26, 2020, from
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1062122
Basilaia, G., & Kvavadze, D. (2020). Transition to Online Education in Schools during a SARS-CoV-2.
Pedagogical Research, em0060(2468-4929), 1-3. doi:https://doi.org/10.29333/pr/7937
Giannin, S. (2020, March 20). Retrieved from UNESCO :
https://en.unesco.org/voices/covid19_unprecedent_education_emergency
Islam, D. M. (2020, July 25). Online classes for university students in Bangladesh during the Covid-19
pandemic- is it feasible? Retrieved from The Business Standard:
https://tbsnews.net/thoughts/online-classes-university-students-bangladesh-during-covid-
19-pandemic-it-feasible-87454
Islam, K. A., & Salma, U. (2016, June 30). The Role of Private Universities in Higher Education of.
International Journal of Finance and Banking Research, 2(4), 123-124.
doi:10.11648/j.ijfbr.20160204.11
Jasim, M. M., & Siddiqui, K. (2019, November 2). A university in every 5.38 square kilometres.
Retrieved August 29, 2020, from The Business Standard:
https://tbsnews.net/bangladesh/education/university-every-538-square-kilometres
Khan, S. H. (2014). A model for integrating ICT into teacher training programs in Bangladesh.
International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication
Technology, 10(3), 22-23. Retrieved August 28, 2020, from
http://ijedict.dec.uwi.edu/viewarticle.php?id=1748
Mannan, A. (2017, March 1). Education to employment. Retrieved from The Daily Star:
https://www.thedailystar.net/education-employment/achieving-our-higher-education-
targets-1366513
Mazumder, Q. H. (2013, June). Student Satisfaction in Private and Public Universities in Bangladesh.
International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 2(2), 78-19. Retrieved
August 27, 2020, from http://ijere.iaescore.com/index.php/IJERE/article/view/4441/2157
Naher, N., Tanim, T., & Sultana, N. (2019). Women in Science and Technology: A study in Bangladesh.
Sociology and Anthropology, 7(7), 308. doi:10.13189/sa.2019.070702
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14. Onyema, E. M., Eucheria, D. C., Obafemi, D. A., Sen, S., Atonye, F. G., Sharma, D., & Alsayed, A. O.
(2020, May 31). Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on Education. Education and Practice,
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Robles, M., & Braathen, S. (2012). Online Assessment Techniques. The Delta Pi Epsilon journal,
XLIV(I), 43-46. doi:10.1.1.468.526
Smalley, A. (2020, July 27). Higher Education Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Retrieved from
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL):
https://www.ncsl.org/research/education/higher-education-responses-to-coronavirus-
covid-19.aspx
Tanvir, K. R. (2010, October 6). Session jam. Retrieved from The Daily Star:
https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-157275
Zaman, N. U. (2020, June 1). Prospects and perils of online education in Bangladesh. Retrieved from
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education-in-bangladesh
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