Teachers appointed at most universities on political link

A research organisation funded by the US state and education departments yesterday said recruitment of teachers and administrators in most public and private universities in Bangladesh were based on nepotism, political affiliation and "exchange of money".

Stakeholders lack transparency and accountability while vice-chancellors (VC) sometimes trying to unilaterally run the institutions, said the American Institute of Bangladesh Studies (AIBS).

AIBS said the observations came from its research and a National Conference on "Strategic Management and Effective Leadership on Higher Education" it organised with Dhaka University (DU) on the campus on August 7-8 last year.

Some 200 academics including VCs, pro-VCs, treasurers, registrars, proctors and deans from 22 universities in Bangladesh participated in the conference, supported by the US embassy and the Council of American Overseas Research Center, USA.

The conference's goal was to focus on innovative solutions to best address practices in higher education rather than simply identifying the problems.

AIBS President Prof Golam M Mathbor, also chairman of Philosophy, Religion and Interdisciplinary Studies at Monmouth University, US, made some recommendations at a press conference at the DU VC's office lounge yesterday. He urged the universities to implement the recommendations gradually to ensure quality higher education.

DU VC Dr AAMS Arefin Siddque said a separate pay scale for teachers, especially those of public universities, must be introduced along with additional facilities to bring meritorious students to the teaching profession.