Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid today warned of taking legal actions against the private universities failing to fulfill their conditions in running academic activities.

"There is no way other than taking legal actions against those private universities which have failed to fulfill their conditions to ensure a congenial atmosphere and shift to their own permanent campuses. It has been difficult to bring them on the right track despite putting continuous pressure," he said.

The minister came up with the warning in his presidential speech at the fifth convocation of Dhaka International University (DIU) at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in the capital’s Farmgate area, said an official press release in Dhaka.

On behalf of the President and DIU Chancellor Abdul Hamid, the education minister chaired the convocation while prominent educationist and economist Dr Akbar Ali Khan addressed it as the convocation speaker.

Nahid urged the private universities to come forward with a mind of serving the people and contribute in the education sector rather than making business and profits.

He also asked them to be more aware of developing a high-quality higher education system in the country to compete in the current competitive world.

"Talent and wisdom of the new generation should be utilized in bringing affirmative changes to the society," the minister said, adding that they (new generation) should be groomed up as the country's responsible and patriotic citizens with honesty, morality and science and technologically skills.

Nahid asked the graduates to work for ensuring welfare of the backward section of people in the country.

DIU Trustee Board Chairman Dr Shahidul Quadir Patwary, Vice-Chairman Shamim Haydar Patwary and Vice-Chancellor Dr AKM Mahsin spoke at the function, among others.

A total of 1,611 students of the university were conferred degrees through the convocation. Of them, two received Chancellor Award while seven got Vice-Chancellor Award and three Dean's Award.

Education Minister Nahid distributed certificates and awards among the graduates.