NU institutes can drive higher education reforms: VC

The National University (NU), the world's second-largest public university by enrolment, has begun work to improve the quality of higher education across Bangladesh, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A S M Amanullah said on Monday.

He emphasised the need to drive reforms through NU's nationwide network of affiliated colleges.

He was speaking as Chief Guest at a views-exchange on improving education quality with principals, vice-principals, teachers and students from Mymensingh, Netrakona and Kishoreganj districts, held at the Nasirabad College auditorium.

Presided over by Professor Dr A T M Zafrul Azam, Treasurer of NU, the event was addressed as Special Guests by Professor Dr Md Nurul Islam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of NU, and Dr Md Shahidullah, Chairman of the Mymensingh Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education.

Chaired by Sahab Uddin Ahmad, Director of the College Monitoring and Evaluation Office, the programme also heard from Ahmed Shafiq, Principal of Nasirabad College; Professor Sheikh Amjad Ali, Chair of the governing body; Professor Abu Taher, Principal of Netrokona College; Professor Md Shaker Hossain, Principal of Ananda Mohan College; and Dr Maleka Bilkis, Principal of Muminunnisa Government Women's College, alongside representatives of the Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and student delegates, who presented issues and recommendations.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor said Bangladesh's allocation for education as a share of GDP is among the lowest globally, noting that many countries have advanced through sustained investment in education.
He added that UNICEF and other international organisations have begun working with NU, with more expressing interest. Since taking office, the administration has initiated broad reforms, including modern, industry-aligned syllabuses; accelerated examination processing with results now issued within two months; and a plan to publish results within one month using advanced technology to clear long-standing session backlogs.

To bring students back to classrooms, he suggested exploring financial incentives where necessary. He underscored that workforce readiness requires proficiency in ICT and English, announcing an initiative to train twelve thousand ICT teachers through specialised programmes and, if needed, to support this with financial incentives. He also said steps are underway to establish a regional centre, a teacher training centre and a separate examination centre in Mymensingh.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Nurul Islam said a number of notable reforms have been implemented within the administration's first year and called for collective support to complete the rest.
In his closing remarks, Treasurer Professor Dr A T M Zafrul Azam sought cooperation to implement NU's short- and long-term reform agenda.

The meeting observed a moment of silence in memory of Sagar, a Nasirabad College student who died during the July uprising.