Dhaka: University Grants Commission member Professor Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan has made a significant claim that the Awami League has established 26 universities over the past 16 years primarily to satisfy political interests rather than to enhance the country’s higher education system. Prof. Tanzimuddin expressed these views at a seminar entitled ‘From Dictatorship to Democracy: In Search of Discrimination Free Bangladesh,’ organized by the newly published magazine ‘Sarbojonkotha.’ The seminar was held at the Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury auditorium of Dhaka University.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Prof. Tanzimuddin stated that these universities have played a crucial role in appeasing the intellectual community to garner their support and provide employment opportunities for Awami League supporters. He further elaborated that the incentives offered to vice chancellors, pro vice chancellors, and other top officials were enticing enough to sway university teachers towards supporting the Awami League.
Prof. Tanzimuddin criticized the universities established in the last 16 years for serving as tools to fulfill the ruling party’s political interests and aiding the student wing in expanding their local influence. He accused the Awami League government of adopting a double-standard policy towards the country’s education sector by prioritizing the creation of institutions without allocating necessary budgetary support.
He warned that this approach could prove detrimental to the universities, diverting them from their intended purpose. Prof. Tanzimuddin highlighted that project proposals for new universities were often crafted by beneficiary groups with financial and political motives. The seminar also featured speeches by the magazine’s editor, eminent economist Professor Anu Muhammad, as well as Prof Dr Harun-Ur-Rashid and Dr Samina Luthfa of Dhaka University.