Bangladesh Open University (BOU) is expanding automation, online services and ICT infrastructure as it seeks to modernise education delivery and strengthen financial sustainability, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan said at a meeting in Khulna.
The university is operating through 12 regional centres and more than 63 active sub-regional centres across Bangladesh, while also running programmes for expatriate Bangladeshis in seven countries and planning expansion to Singapore and Malaysia, the university said in a press release.
The vice-chancellor made the remarks at a views-exchange meeting on promotional activities for implementing a quality education system at the conference room of the Bangladesh Open University Khulna Regional Centre on Wednesday.
Officials and employees of the regional and sub-regional centres, coordinators of ongoing programmes and tutors attended the meeting.
Bangladesh Open University has been working for more than three decades to provide education opportunities for marginalised communities, working people and those outside the conventional education system, the vice-chancellor said.
Despite being a public university, the institution is largely dependent on its own income because of limited government financial support, he said.
The university administration has already drawn the attention of the government and the University Grants Commission to the financial challenges facing the institution, he added.
The vice-chancellor said new software and a mobile application are being introduced to speed up examinations, complaint resolution and student services.
Thousands of student complaints have already been resolved through the initiatives, he said.
The university is also reviewing honorariums for stakeholders, coordinators and heads of educational institutions while trying to avoid putting extra pressure on students, he said.
He urged officials and employees at regional and sub-regional centres to strengthen coordination and make the university’s activities more dynamic.
“Stakeholders are the driving force of Open University, and the university administration is committed to protecting their honour and expectations,” he said.
Earlier, the vice-chancellor planted a sweet olive sapling at the regional centre.
Acting Registrar TM Ahmed Hossain also planted a neem sapling at the venue.
The meeting was chaired by Bangladesh Open University Khulna Regional Centre Regional Director Mohammad Mahmudul Amin.
Speaking as special guest, Acting Registrar TM Ahmed Hossain highlighted the role of stakeholders in expanding the university’s education activities and improving service quality.
He called for coordinated initiatives to make the university’s operations more dynamic and student-friendly.
Speakers at the event also placed several proposals aimed at making Bangladesh Open University’s education activities more modern, dynamic and student-friendly.
Khulna Regional Centre Administrative Officer Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman moderated the programme.
