Bangladesh Open University (BOU) is set to launch two new programmes, SSC (Nish-3) and HSC (Nish-3), to provide Qawmi and Alia stream students with access to mainstream education. A two-day workshop on the syllabus and regulations for the programmes began at 10am on Tuesday, September 1, at BOU’s Dhaka Regional Centre, according to a press release.
The programmes will allow interested students from the Qawmi stream and dropout students from the Alia stream to reconnect with mainstream education through BOU. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Chiddikur Rahman Khan, who inaugurated the workshop as chief guest, said the initiative was aimed at providing students with modern and employment-oriented education alongside religious studies while preserving the distinctiveness of their religious education.
Khan said BOU had long been working to bring a large section of the population into mainstream education. Creating a second opportunity for people deprived of education or outside the conventional education system was one of the university’s key objectives, he said.
The Vice-Chancellor said the syllabus and regulations for the Nish-3 programmes had not yet been finalised. The workshop would further develop and update them based on considered views from academics, experts and relevant stakeholders, he said.
Khan expressed hope that the programmes could be implemented from the 2027 academic year through collective efforts. If successful, the initiative would open a new chapter in BOU’s expansion of education, he said.
He added that BOU was continuing to work on human-resource development and skills enhancement by keeping educational opportunities open to everyone regardless of age, gender, profession or social status.
The workshop’s inaugural session was chaired by Open School Dean Professor Dr Shirin Sultana. Special guests included BOU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr Anisur Rahman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Md Sirajul Islam, Treasurer Professor Dr Sheikh Rafiqul Islam and Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, Principal of Jamia Rahmania Madrasa in Mohammadpur, Dhaka.
The programme opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome address from Open School Professor Dr Muhammad Abdur Rahim. Professor Dr Md Chengiz Khan of Open School presented a summary of the proposed syllabus.
BOU said its educational activities were guided by the spirit of the Bangladesh Open University Act and aimed at developing a poverty-free, modern and skilled workforce. Its objectives include developing students’ intellectual abilities, religious and moral values, aesthetic sense, human empathy and patriotism; building capable human resources through science and technology, socio-economic knowledge and professional skills; and strengthening students’ capacity to engage in poverty reduction, self-employment and income-generating activities.
The university also aims to develop students as responsible citizens able to adapt to changing times and society, while expanding and facilitating access to higher education.
Open School Dean Professor Dr Shirin Sultana delivered the concluding remarks at the event. BOU Registrar (In-charge) T M Ahmed Husein delivered the vote of thanks.
