Govt Suspends Academic Activities at 16 Private Universities

The Ministry of Education in Bangladesh has ordered the suspension of all admission and academic activities at 16 private universities for failing to relocate to permanent campuses, as required under the Private University Act 2010. 

These institutions have continued operating from rented premises even after their temporary approvals expired.

The directive came through an official letter dated April 8, signed by A.S.M. Kasem, Senior Assistant Secretary (Private University-1) at the Ministry. 

The letter instructs the University Grants Commission (UGC) to take necessary action against the universities in accordance with Section 12(1) of the Private University Act 2010 and report back to the Ministry.

According to the Act, if a private university fails to apply for a permanent certificate within the validity period of its temporary approval, or fails to meet the conditions under Section 9 for obtaining such certification, all academic and admission-related activities must be ceased immediately after the expiry of the temporary approval.

The Ministry identified the following universities among those that have not established permanent campuses despite having operated for over seven years:

• The People’s University of Bangladesh (Mohammadpur, Dhaka)

• University of Development Alternative (Satmasjid Road, Dhaka)

• Stamford University Bangladesh (Siddheshwari, Dhaka)

• The Millennium University (Rajarbagh, Dhaka)

• Presidency University (Gulshan, Dhaka)

• Primeasia University (Banani, Dhaka)

• ASA University Bangladesh (Shyamoli, Dhaka)

• Sonargaon University (Panthapath, Dhaka)

• Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (Mirpur, Dhaka)

• North East University Bangladesh (Sylhet)

• Isha Khan International University (Kishoreganj)

• North Western University (Khulna)

• Feni University (Feni)

• Britannia University (Cumilla)

• Port City International University (Chattogram)

• Chittagong Independent University (Chattogram)

Officials from the Ministry clarified that these universities were initially granted temporary approval, which has now expired. As per the law, institutions are required to construct permanent facilities on their own land within the approval period. However, these universities failed to do so and thus did not qualify for permanent accreditation.

UGC Chairman Professor S.M.A. Fayez said, “We may allow additional time to those universities that have shown genuine progress toward building permanent campuses. But for those that have made no effort, strict measures will be taken. However, our actions will be guided by the principle of minimizing harm to students.”