On19 January 2023, The University Grants Commission (UGC) ordered to stop the admission of new students in all programs in four private universities of the country as no visible steps have been taken to transfer all the activities to the permanent campus and to build the campus within the stipulated period. The universities are Stamford University Bangladesh, Asa University, Prime Asia University and Victoria University and.issued a public notice regarding actions to be taken against 18 private universities that failed to shift all activities to permanent campuses within the stipulated time frame.

The admission of new students in the temporary campuses of State University and Manarat International University will be completely closed. However, these 2 universities can enrol new students to programmes conducted at their permanent campuses.

Considering the visible progress regarding the transfer to the permanent campus and construction of the campusDhaka International University, Royal University, Southeast University, City University, The Millennium University and Bangladesh University have been given time till March 31, 2023 to transfer their entire activities including educational programs to the permanent campus. If these universities fail to transfer all programs including educational programs to the permanent campus within the mentioned time frame, the admission of new students in all programs will be completely stopped from 1 April 2023.

Considering the visible progress and written commitment regarding the transfer to the permanent campus and the construction of the campus, Brac University, University of Development Alternative, Green University, Uttara University, Presidency University and The People's University will be transferred to the permanent campus including education programs by June 30, 2023.If these universities fail to transfer all programs including educational programs to the permanent campus within the mentioned time frame, the admission of new students in all programs will be completely stopped from 1 July 2023.

All temporary campuses or buildings other than the permanent campus of these universities will be considered illegal.

Earlier on 11 April 2022, UGC declared the temporary campuses of 22 private universities illegal and advised them to shift to permanent campuses by 31 December 2021.

The University Grants Commission (UGC), Bangladesh has formed 18 separate three-member committees to bring private universities under regular monitoring regarding setting up and shifting to permanent campuses

The university apex body said the members of the committees have been instructed to submit regular reports to UGC. Each committee has been headed by a convener, one member secretary and one member. The committees have been instructed to give their opinion and submit reports to the commission after visiting the private universities on the ground.

UGC has said that it will hold firm on its decision to not allow private universities to enroll new students unless they have begun taking measures to shift all academic activities to their permanent campuses.

“Universities will not be exempt from action as per the UGC act. They have had enough time already“ told by UGC member (Private University) Prof Dr BiswajitChanda. The commission will not allow private universities to enroll new students if they are yet to take measures to shift to permanent campuses, he added.

Full report: Dhaka Tribune