NU likely to open

regional centres
by year-end

S. M. Mizanur Rahman

The National University is likely to start academic and

administrative activities at six regional centres by the end of
this year in a bid to free the university from corruption and
mismanagement.

“The work to establish the regional centres is going on in full

swing. We hope that we will be able to begin our
administrative and academic activities by the year-end,”
said Tofael Ahmed, pro-vice chancellor of the National
University (NU).

He said the centres will initially be set up at rented houses.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid told The Daily Sun that
the ministry is ready to provide all necessary supports to
establish the regional centres in the divisional headquarters
of Rajshahi, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, Barisal and Rangpur.

Against the backdrop of widespread irregularities, corruption

and mismanagement at the NU, the Awami League-led
government took initiatives to decentralise its activities.

The regional centres will conduct the activities of around

1,750 colleges and university colleges of the six divisions.
The institutions of Dhaka division will be affiliated with the
main campus in Gazipur.

Officials at the university said the college inspection

department is one of the highest corrupt departments.
“In the name of inspection, the officials of this department
often take bribe from different colleges,” an official said
adding they gave affiliation clearance to many colleges in
return for money.

According to the pro-vice chancellor, a delegation recently

visited Rajshahi and Rangpur to acquire lands for the
regional centres and held meetings with the divisional
commissioners and assistant commissioners (land).

The delegation will go to Khulna Monday.

Tofael further said a technical committee, assigned to

prepare field report for the project, will submit its report to
the education ministry soon.

The education minister told The Daily Sun that initiatives will
be taken on the basis of the report of the NU authorities.

“I believe that the academic activities of different colleges

and university colleges can be monitored properly if the
regional centres are established,” he said.

Accusing the BNP-Jamaat alliance government of politicising

the university, Nahid said it is impossible to free the
university from corruption, irregularities and
mismanagement completely. “We are trying to do our best
to uphold its image,” he added.

A high-powered committee submitted its report with some

suggestions and recommendations to the education ministry
about the possible reforms at the university.

Prof Nazrul Islam, chairman of the University Grants

Commission (UGC), told The Daily Sun that they
recommended decentralising the university to restore its
reputation.
“Once the regional centres are set up, I think NU will be able
to provide quality education and session jam will be
reduced,” he added.

Report: S M Mizanur Rahman

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