The University Grants Commission (UGC) is considering allowing eligible private universities with adequate research capacity and academic standards to offer PhD programmes, UGC Chairman Prof Mamun Ahmed said.
He said the opportunity would not be extended to all private universities indiscriminately, and approval would depend on specific criteria, including qualifications, research standards, transparency and academic integrity.
Prof Mamun made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the ‘Research Excellence Award 2026’ presentation ceremony at the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) in Dhaka on Tuesday.
“We want quality research, and through that quality research, quality PhDs,” he said.
The UGC chairman said maintaining strict standards would be a priority to ensure the quality of research and prevent irregularities in PhD programmes.
He said Bangladesh is facing a shortage of qualified teachers and researchers, and expanding opportunities for PhD and post-doctoral research is necessary to address the gap and improve the quality of higher education.
Speaking about the governance of private universities, Prof Mamun said boards of trustees and academic administrations must operate within their respective legal boundaries.
He said trustee boards should not interfere in academic administration, adding that the Private University Act, 2010 clearly defines the responsibilities of different stakeholders.
The UGC chairman said the commission is currently dealing with internal disputes within trustee boards, as well as conflicts between trustee boards and university administrations.
He said such disputes could be avoided if all parties perform their assigned responsibilities properly.
The event was chaired by UAP Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohiuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan. UAP Board of Trustees Chairman K M Mojibul Haq and Director of the university’s Institute for Research, Innovation and Development Prof Dr Tanveer Ferdous Saeed also spoke at the event.
