There is a disparity in the quality of education in public and private universities, said Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud yesterday (Sunday).

"A major concern is that many students, after completing their higher secondary education, opt to study abroad if they can afford it. Besides, even after completing their higher education locally, graduates remain unemployed. And the number of highly educated unemployed individuals has been growing rapidly," he said while speaking at the "Bangladesh Higher Education Conference 2024," held at a hotel in the capital.

He said collaboration with internationally renowned universities is needed to improve the quality of higher education in line with global standards.

"We can work to enhance the quality of education by involving Bangladeshis who are part of these institutions and providing them with opportunities," he added.

Due to partisan politics among faculty members, irregularities in teacher recruitment, and the display of power in the name of student politics, universities in Bangladesh are on the brink of paralysis, he said.

"As a result of these issues, there is no conducive environment for higher education in public universities. We are actively working to address these challenges," said the adviser.

He said, "That is why we are appointing qualified individuals, including vice-chancellors, to key positions. Additionally, we are making efforts to bring back talented teachers and researchers currently residing abroad."

The conference, organised by The Daily Bonik Barta, focused on the theme "Global Standards in Higher Education: What Bangladesh Needs to Do."

Speaking at the event, Prof SMA Faiz, chairman of the University Grants Commission, urged universities to become less dependent on the government.

He said a nation cannot progress without research. Both the government and the UGC must step forward in this regard.

Dhaka University VC Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan said there is a lack of infrastructure in higher education and there is no conducive environment for quality research.

The country's party-driven and violent politics have harmed every institution. However, higher education institutions have been the most affected.

 He said there is no difference between public and private institutions if the goal is to produce better human beings.

Public and private are just specialised forms of management systems, he added.

JU VC Prof Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, UGC member Prof Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan and the acting VC of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Prof Mohammad Shahinul Alam were part of the panel discussants.

Daffodil International University VC M Lutfar Rahman, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology VC Prof Dr Abdur Rob, United International University VC Abul Kashem Mia, NSU VC Prof Abdul Hannan Chowdhury also addressed the programme.

Dewan Hanif Mahmud, editor and publisher of Bonik Barta, moderated the event.