The government is moving away from the policy of establishing universities in every district, with the University Grants Commission (UGC) prioritising the improvement of existing institutions and the expansion of specialised faculties and institutes instead.
The policy shift comes as several public universities remain non-functional, with no students enrolled or academic activities under way, despite having been approved years ago.
Meherpur University, initially approved in 2020 during the Awami League government, is yet to admit a single student or begin academic activities. Its name has been changed three times, and three vice-chancellors have been appointed so far, including one by the current BNP government.
The university was renamed Mujibnagar University through legislation passed by parliament in 2023, before the interim government restored its original name in 2025.
Four other public universities – Lakshmipur Science and Technology University, Narayanganj Science and Technology University, Shariatpur Agricultural University and Thakurgaon University – are also yet to begin academic activities, despite their laws being passed in 2023.
Although vice-chancellors have recently been appointed to all four institutions for the first time, preparations are underway to begin academic activities only at Thakurgaon University in the next academic year, UGC member (Public Universities) Professor Abdullah Al Mamun told TIMES. The admission of students to the other three institutions is not currently under consideration by the UGC.
Asked about the proposed number of departments and student intake, Mamun said these would be determined subject to the fulfilment of the necessary conditions.
The previous Awami League government planned to establish universities in every district amid demands from local political leaders. Although the plan has faced setbacks, politicians continue to press for universities in their respective districts.
A Ministry of Education official said many public universities had been established across the country during the previous Awami League government without proper planning or assessments of their feasibility.
Although some had nominally begun academic activities, they lacked even the minimum institutional capacity required to operate properly, forcing them to run through makeshift arrangements, the official said.
The official, who requested anonymity, alleged that influential politicians had used various activities related to the establishment of these universities, including land acquisition and construction, to create opportunities for corruption and benefit their relatives.
“Approval for a public university means an orgy of plunder. From land acquisition to construction work, every stage creates opportunities for ruling-party leaders and activists in the area to enrich themselves,” the official said.
The official added that universities were often established to secure political popularity rather than ensure quality higher education.
The tendency to demand more universities has continued under the current government. During last month’s parliamentary session, lawmakers raised demands for public universities in at least 10 districts.
Demands included another university in Mymensingh, which already has two, and a second institution in Meherpur even before its existing university has become operational. Separate universities were also sought in Satkhira, Brahmanbaria, Natore, Bagerhat, Sherpur and the Dhaka-18 constituency.
Bangladesh currently has 178 universities, including 61 public and 117 private institutions. Another 11 private universities have applied for approval, with the UGC examining their feasibility, necessity and compliance with legal requirements.
UGC Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed said the government would no longer approve universities merely in response to demands from different districts.
“Many universities were previously approved without analysing their feasibility and necessity. Our main task now is to ensure that these universities are brought under proper operational management. We want to bring discipline to higher education,” he told TIMES.
Instead of establishing a new university in every district, the government may consider opening specialised faculties or institutes within existing universities, depending on their institutional capacity, he said.
“If a district already has a main university, a separate specialised campus may be established in a neighbouring district. Similarly, instead of setting up new medical colleges or separate agricultural and technology universities, relevant programmes could be introduced as faculties under existing universities,” he added.
Professor Mamun said the UGC was prioritising quality assurance, necessary institutional reforms and stricter monitoring of existing universities rather than approving new institutions without proper assessments.
BRAC Emeritus Professor and educationist Manzoor Ahmed questioned whether institutions that had failed to meet the essential requirements of a university even eight to 10 years after their establishment should continue to operate.
“The purpose of a university is to ensure quality higher education. No other consideration should drive the establishment of a university,” he said.
He added that a university could be established in a region where none existed, provided there was a genuine need and adequate preparation. Otherwise, it would fail to fulfil its purpose.
