HPM Sheikh Hasina for proper enforcement of laws for quality education

"We've already framed 'The Private University Act, 2010' to ensure quality education at all private universities. Now we've to look into the matter of proper application of the law," she said.

The premier also said work is underway to amend 'The University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1973' to properly monitor the activities of both public and private universities to ensure quality education in higher educational institutions.

Sheikh Hasina was addressing as the chief guest a function to distribute "The Prime Minister Gold Medal 2013 and 2014" among the meritorious students of different universities at her office in the capital on Wednesday.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid was present at the function as the special guest.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr Abdul Mannan presided over the function, while UGC Member Professor Dil Afroza Begum delivered the welcome address.

As many as 233 students, who secured the highest marks or CGPA in their respective faculties at different universities of the country in 2013 and 2014, were selected by the UGC for the Prime Minister Gold Medal.

At the function, the prime minister handed over the Gold Medal to 56 students.

Jenifar Hakim Lupin of Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences of Dhaka University and Sajan Rahman of Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of Rajshahi University of Engineering Technology spoke at the function by expressing their feelings about receiving the Gold Medal.

The prime minister said there is a total of 137 universities -- 42 public and 95 private -- in the country. "But it's very difficult for the UGC to properly monitor the activities of such a huge number of universities," she said.

Against this backdrop, she said, a proposal has been sent to the government for amending the UGC Act, 1973. "The law will have to be amended otherwise proper monitoring of the universities like whether they are imparting education properly, how they are running and what happens there couldn't be made," she said.

She added: "We would amend the UGC Act -- there is no doubt. We have constituted the Accreditation Council and in this way, we have taken various measures for the development of education."

Sheikh Hasina also put importance on higher education and research activities to create skilled manpower, technical experts and scientists so that the country does not need to hire such experts from abroad.

"There is no scope for lagging behind when the world is running fast. We've to create skilled manpower, technical experts and scientists so that we don't need to hire such experts from abroad," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has been establishing subject-wise specialised universities in the country to create necessary skilled and trained manpower and technical experts.

"We've set up agriculture, medical, maritime, digital and fashion design universities and ocean research institute for creating skilled manpower on those subjects," she said.

Elaborating her government's various steps for expansion of education in the country, the premier categorically mentioned that expenditure in the education sector is the biggest investment to build the nation and flourish education.

Sheikh Hasina called upon the students to utilize education as a tool for development of the country. "You will have to think about how education could be used for the welfare of the people not for yourself only and how to advance the country in this challenging world," she said.

The premier said the students need to be more attentive towards practicing science and conducting research activities for the welfare and socioeconomic emancipation of the people by upholding the spirit of the liberation war.

The premier reiterated her call to university teachers, guardians and parents to keep vigil so that the children and students don't get engaged in terrorism, militancy and drug addiction.

"You will have to stay vigil about with whom children mix and what they do and where they go and whether they remain absent in the classes so that they don't step into wrong path," she said.

She said the symptoms of terrorism and militancy are now seen across the world including the Muslim countries while many students are found engaged in such menaces after studying at renowned universities of the developed world.

"I wondered how the literate and meritorious students of the rich families become fanatics and step into the path of militancy?" she said, adding extremism and drug addiction are destroying all hopes and aspirations of the talented youths.

In this regard, she posed a question about who are giving money and arms and misguiding the educated youths towards such heinous acts of killing innocent people in the name of religion?

Terming the people of Bangladesh as very pious, not fanatics, Sheikh Hasina said the people of all faiths here are performing their religion independently and peacefully.

She said Islam is the religion of peace and it never said to kill innocent people. "Islam says committing suicide is a great sin, but I cannot understand how the derailed people could do such work in the name of religion?" she asked.

The prime minister laid stress on practising more games, sports and cultural programmes as well as flourishing innovative power of the students alongside study to prevent them from the path of terrorism, militancy and drug addiction.

She congratulated the meritorious students who secured the Prime Minister Gold Medal and urged them to move with self confidence and keep their head high to lead the nation in future.

"You're the future leaders of the country, so you will have to go ahead with self confidence and keep your head high upholding the spirit of the liberation war," she said.

Photo: Focus Bangla