In Bangladesh, the number of public universities is 35 and private universities is approximately 48. Education is the key to success, education make life meaningful. Receiving education is one of the foremost demands of life. In Bangladesh, now there are two trends of higher educationpublic universities and private universities. Public universities are the oldest and ancient mode of education in our country, whereas the private universities are very recent one. Now public and private universities are working side by side in higher education set-up. But the common fact is that, there is almost no doubt and controversy about the quality of higher education imparted by public universities. They have, from the very beginning, created respectability to the scholars, students, and teachers and in the people in general. On the contrary, private universities are also doing the same thing- imparting education at affordable and minimal cost. Despite the fact, there is a general and commonplace tendency to ignore the quality of education provides be provided by private universities. Considering this fact, we made a research to find out the role of private universities in higher education in Bangladesh.

1. INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY, BANGLADESH (IUB)
A REPORT ON Challenges and Prospects of Private Universities in
Bangladesh
Strategic Management (MGT-490)
Section: 01
Submitted by:
Md. Fattah Hossain Ratul
ID: 1410486
Submitted to
Prof. Mohd Aminul Karim
School of Business
Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB)
18 February, 2018

2. Table of content
Abstract.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction................................................................................................................................... 4
Objective of the study: ................................................................................................................ 4
System of the study in Bangladesh Private University.............................................................. 5
Top Private Universities in Bangladesh:..................................................................................... 5
Literature review .......................................................................................................................... 6
Positive sides of Private Universities........................................................................................... 8
Quality of education in Private University:................................................................................. 8
Private universities have many positive sides:............................................................................ 8
Extra-curricular activities:........................................................................................................... 8
Challenges Private University in Bangladesh............................................................................. 9
1. Change government role:..................................................................................................... 9
2. Very much expensive:.......................................................................................................... 9
3. Lack of adequate teaching and learning equipment:............................................................ 9
4. High cost of faculty and staff development and training:.................................................... 9
5. Inadequate infrastructure: .................................................................................................... 9
6. Lack of campus:................................................................................................................... 9
7. Lack of well-resourced libraries: ......................................................................................... 9
8. Unemployment problems:.................................................................................................... 9
9. Lack of canteen:................................................................................................................... 9
Conclusions.................................................................................................................................. 10
References.................................................................................................................................... 11

3. Abstract
A private university is simply a university whose funding comes from tuition, investments, and private
donors, not from taxpayers. Private universities are typically not operated by governments,
although many receive tax breaks, public student loans, and grants. Depending on their location,
private universities may be subject to government regulation. This is in contrast to public
universities and national universities. Most private universities are non-profit organizations.
Universities in Bangladesh play very important role in the overall development of the country.
This is evident from the fact that the students and teachers of the Dhaka University which was
established in the year 1921, Other Universities of Bangladesh at both public sector and the
private sector are also playing important role by not only providing degrees thus producing
quality human resources for various sectors of the economy, but also producing enlightened
citizens and thus improving the quality of life in the society as a whole. In order to solve the
problem of accessibility of higher education the government of Bangladesh is allowing the
establishment of private Universities in Bangladesh from 1992. But nowadays there is a
controversy whether the private universities are contributing for the nation or not. The present
paper is an attempt to reflecting on the contribution or role of private universities for the task of
nation-building and reforming the education sector. The paper will also formulate shortcomings
and provide recommendation to overcome the existing barriers. To collect data, one
questionnaire has been developed for the teachers working in the private universities of capital
city.

4. Introduction
In Bangladesh, the number of public universities is 35 and private universities is approximately
48. Education is the key to success, education make life meaningful. Receiving education is one
of the foremost demands of life. In Bangladesh, now there are two trends of higher education-
public universities and private universities. Public universities are the oldest and ancient mode of
education in our country, whereas the private universities are very recent one. Now public and
private universities are working side by side in higher education set-up. But the common fact is
that, there is almost no doubt and controversy about the quality of higher education imparted by
public universities. They have, from the very beginning, created respectability to the scholars,
students, and teachers and in the people in general. On the contrary, private universities are also
doing the same thing- imparting education at affordable and minimal cost. Despite the fact, there
is a general and commonplace tendency to ignore the quality of education provides be provided
by private universities. Considering this fact, we made a research to find out the role of private
universities in higher education in Bangladesh.
Objective of the study:
The objectives of the private university are to disseminate, create and advance knowledge, wisdom and
understanding, and to offer education of the highest standards by teaching, research, training and
extension programs. Towards this end the university shall:
 To formulate opinion about the quality education in private universities.
 Establish facilities for education and training.
 To bring into light the role played by the private universities in ensuring higher education
in the country
 Prepare young men and women as citizens imbued with the zeal and spirit of selfless service for
the community
 Establish examination centers.
 Enabling students to develop a scientific mindset to trace the evolution of different facets
of institutional systems of higher education in Bangladesh.
 To Find out the governance, management and administrative problems of existing private
universities in Bangladesh
 To suggest areas of action that needs immediate attention.

5. System of the study in Bangladesh Private University
One common questionnaire was designed to elicit information on the contribution of private
Universities in Bangladesh. The questionnaire included 14 questions on various aspects of
contribution of private universities like-job market, learner's satisfaction, academic environment,
session-jam and quality of the existing teachers. Open-ended and close -ended questions were
used. The respondents of the survey were also allowed to pick more than one option (for
preferred types) wherever necessary.
Top Private Universities in Bangladesh:
In Bangladesh, the number of private universities is approximately 48. Top Private Universities are:
1. Independent University Bangladesh (IUB)
2. North South University (NSU)
3. BRAC University (BRACU)
4. Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST)
5. East West University (EWU)
6. United International University (UIU)
7. University of Asia Pacific (UAP)
8. American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)
9. Daffodil International University (DIU)
10. Green University of Bangladesh

6. Literature review
The positive role of private Universities in the higher education in Bangladesh is now
undeniable. The epoch-making Private University Act was passed in 1992. To meet the
increasing demand for higher education and develop skilled, efficient and competent
manpower the then Government felt the need for establishing private universities and
approved the Private University Act 1992. Islam S. states that education was seen as the
essential factors for rapid economic growth and formal education controlled by the state, as
the indispensable instrument for improving the production capacities of a population. Most
countries of the world are now facing the dilemmas of having to satisfy the need of the
increased demand for education. Higher education system needs to be flexible if they are to be
the most effective. Education systems need to be able to adapt quickly to changing enrolment
levels, to the rise and fall of different fields of study and to changes in the mix of skills
demanded in the labor market. Providing university education in developing countries, unlike
the developed countries was a Responsibility always shouldered by the state. Country's first
university, the Dhaka University opened its doors to the students in 1921. Until 1992, all
universities in Bangladesh were in the public sector. The number of students seeking university
education was quite few and there was no such thing as admission test, even till the late
seventies. The education in the public sector was always public funded. Often the cost of
collecting fees was more than what was collected. With the passage of time the country's
population doubled and the demand for education at all levels also grew. This was a very
positive development and a country like Bangladesh, whose priorities in the education sector
were more focused towards primary and secondary level, could hardly keep pace in Satisfying
the demand for university education. It was an absolute imbalance between demand and supply.
Parents who could afford to send their children abroad did, often to third grade Institutions. On
one hand there was a colossal drainage of hard earned foreign exchange and on The other hand
many students returned with substandard education. Realizing the problem the government
enacted a private university law in 1992 allowing universities to be set up in the private sector.
This was a revolutionary step for a country like Bangladesh. Through the establishment of
NGUs, a homegrown reform agenda in higher education has been Set in motion and this
indigenous approach is 4already producing good results in view of NGUs Friendly attitude of
successive governments under the existing benign legal framework.
Today, there are 55 non-government universities delivering modern, market driven education
Through international cooperation, competent faculty and modern teaching methods. Since
Establishment, these universities have made significant contributions in terms of expanding the
Base of higher education in the country on the face of growing demand. According to the Annual
Report 2008 of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC), the number of students
enrolled in different universities is 3, 19,472 (excluding students of National University and
Bangladesh Open Universities). Out of this, 57% students enrolled in NGUs and 43% in the
public universities. Private universities offer programs on subjects that have demand in the job
markets. The most popular is BBA, MBA, CSE, ECE, EEE, Pharmacy, LLB, LLM, English,

7. BTE etc., AUST and UAP are offering programs in engineering. The private universities have
been following the North American curricula, semester, and continuous system of evaluation of
students. High quality audio-visual equipment, multimedia and therefore, it is absolutely
essential that the government/UGC apply an effective Supervising and monitoring mechanism
that will ensure acceptable quality of education imparted by all private universities. In addition,
there must be a regulatory agency like an internationally recognized Accreditation Council for
quality assurance. Private Universities opened up huge employment opportunities. The
remunerations of university teachers also went up substantially. This enabled many academics to
return home and teach. Private tuition and coaching system must go. This has corrupted the
entire educational system. The deficiencies of students in some areas of the courses or subjects
should be taken care of within the school and college systems. The teachers doing the extra
courses scheduled by the Institutions should be remunerated within the system. Any teacher
found to indulge in private coaching and giving out question papers must lose his job.

8. Positive sides of Private Universities
Quality of education in Private University: Maintaining the standard of quality education is
said to be the first demand of private universities in the country. And obviously there are many
arguments and debate about this topic. All the respondents are of the view, that their universities
are engaged with various sorts of extra-curricular activities like Debate competition Cultural
exchange program Publishing newsletter, magazines. Arranging annual picnic-program Sports of
different types etc.
Private universities have many positive sides: The points Found in the survey are
summarized below
 Applied modern technologies in the classroom
 After completing the education of the students can make them successful in the job
market
 The scope of research in Private Universities
 Private Universities are providing opportunities for students who do not get scope to take
Admission in Public Universities.
 Syllabuses are realistic and up-to-date.
 The students of Private Universities are enthusiastic for study
 Providing education at affordable cost
 There is no session-jam in the private
Extra-curricular activities:
Private universities are not only providing education at a minimal and affordable cost but also
opened-up a new avenue for cultural nourishment of the learners coming from varies strata of the
Society. All the respondents are of the view, that their universities are engaged with various sorts
of extra-curricular activities like:
1. Debate competition
2. Cultural exchange program
3. Publishing newsletter, magazines.
4. Arranging annual picnic-program
5. Sports of different types etc.

9. Challenges Private University in Bangladesh
1. Change government role: Bangladesh’s private universities are opposing a government move
to reform the existing academic year, ostensibly to streamline the curriculum and reduce tuition
costs for students. At present, private universities run their academic activities over three terms in
a year, unlike publicly funded universities, which have a two-semester system. However, in April
Bangladesh’s University Grants Commission, or UGC, sent letters to private universities directing
them to introduce the two-semester system.UGC Chairman Abdul Mannan told University World
News that private universities have been asked to introduce the two semester system, changing by
the end of this year? “We hope that all private universities can introduce two semesters in a year
in phases by 2018,” he said, adding the UGC has already prepared a standard syllabus and
curriculum suitable for teaching over two semesters. Abdul Mannan said the move was to lessen
pressure on students and reduce their educational expenses. The UGC notes that under the three-
term system, students often do not have enough time to complete the syllabus and must pay extra
fees for the additional third term. But Private University against the decision So government create
a problem for the Private University. It is create big problem for Private University in Bangladesh.
2. Very much expensive: Most of the people in Bangladesh are poor and the private
university tutorial free are more expensive so it is difficult to study poor student to read
private university and also it challenge for private university.
3. Lack of adequate teaching and learning equipment: Most of the private university do
not have enough equipment like: projectors, computers, textbooks, etc.
4. High cost of faculty and staff development and training: Lot of staff are work their so
cost is high or their equipment price are high so they observe high cost.
5. Inadequate infrastructure: Such as lecture halls, residence halls, offices, etc.
6. Lack of campus: The most private university do not have their own campus like: BRAC
University, southeast university. Most of the student want they have an own campus.
7. Lack of well-resourced libraries: Most of the private university do not have enough book
collection
8. Unemployment problems: Some company don not allow Private university student. It is
create big problem for Private University in Bangladesh
9. Lack of canteen: A canteen is the most crucial part of a student's life on the campus as it is here
that he makes friends, hangs out for hours biting into piping hot samosas and shares the juiciest of
gossips. However, many students in the capital are missing out on this important aspect of college
life as many institutions do not have canteen facilities.
10. A little number of quality students
11. Low students intake
12. Problems with accrediting bodies
So it is difficult to study poor student to read private university and it challenge for private
university

10. Conclusions
The study also uncovered some of the major challenges that hamper private universities to
realize their objectives as they would want it. It was observed that private universities are
creditable in the provision of uninterrupted educational calendar throughout the year, of better
quality graduates, and of more ethical and disciplined graduates, among others, as compared to
their public counterparts.
we tried to find out the contribution of private universities in the arena of higher education in
Bangladesh. The encouraging discovery was that truly, the private universities are contributing
significantly in the higher education scenario in Bangladesh. On the contrary, the most prevalent
shortcoming that was found out is that, some of the universities have limitations in flourishing
fully the academic scenario and do not have policy for teachers' remuneration. Despite some
limitations, through the study, it has been come out that private universities are- significantly
playing key-role in the expansion of higher education in the country. The private universities‟
leaderships should be able to deal with the problems on practicable and sustainable bases by
engaging in intentional ways.

11. References
1. http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/html/10.11648.j.ijfbr.20160204.11.html
2. http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2006/09/03/private.
3. http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20170504230618358