Permanent Campuses Transforming Private Universities in Bangladesh

For a long time, one of the major criticisms of private universities in Bangladesh was that many of them conducted academic activities in rented buildings. To address this issue, the Private Universities Act made it mandatory for every private university to establish a permanent campus within seven years of receiving approval. However, due to various challenges such as land acquisition and campus construction, most universities repeatedly extended this deadline through official applications.

In recent years, the private higher education sector has undergone noticeable structural changes. A significant improvement has been observed in the establishment of permanent campuses, as reflected in the latest annual report of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh.

According to the UGC, the number of approved private universities increased from 95 in 2017 to 114 in 2023. More importantly, the number of universities operating from their own permanent campuses rose dramatically, from only 15 in 2017 to 49 in 2023, marking more than a threefold increase.

The teacher–student ratio, an important indicator of academic environment and educational quality, has also shown slight improvement. In 2017, the ratio was 1:22, which improved to 1:21 in 2023. Additionally, annual expenditure per student increased from Tk 81,182 in 2017 to Tk 84,405 in 2023, indicating a gradual rise in investment in education.

The UGC report also highlights progress in accreditation. By 2023, a total of 14 private universities had achieved accreditation. These include American International University-Bangladesh, United International University, East West University, University of Asia Pacific, Daffodil International University, World University of Bangladesh, BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh Army University of Engineering and Technology, University of Science and Technology Chittagong, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Premier University, City University and Eastern University.

Furthermore, 35 universities are now operating on their own land with permanent campuses. Among them are North South University, Independent University Bangladesh, IUBAT, International Islamic University Chittagong, Southeast University, Green University of Bangladesh, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, East Delta University, Notre Dame University Bangladesh and Bangladesh Army International University of Science and Technology (Comilla), along with several others.

Education experts emphasize that having a permanent campus is crucial for ensuring a stable and quality educational environment. Professor Dr. Md. Abdus Salam of the Institute of Education and Research stated that a permanent campus provides an institution with a fixed identity and accountability. It prevents the emergence of “signboard universities” and certificate trading, which are often associated with temporary or nominal institutions. A permanent campus also makes it easier to ensure proper facilities for teachers and students.

Overall, the expansion of permanent campuses represents a positive and encouraging development for the private higher education sector, strengthening its credibility, infrastructure and long-term academic quality.

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