Despite being governed by the Private University Act, a large number of private universities in Bangladesh are operating with little to no oversight, raising serious concerns about academic integrity, financial transparency, and administrative discipline. According to sources from the University Grants Commission (UGC), 37 private universities currently do not have an appointed Vice-Chancellor (VC)-the top academic and executive authority of the institution. Additionally, 86 universities lack a Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), and 37 universities have no Treasurer-the official responsible for financial management and maintaining accountability.
Allegations suggest that many of these key leadership positions are being deliberately left vacant to facilitate irregularities and run institutions arbitrarily. In the absence of VCs and Treasurers, some universities are allegedly issuing degrees without proper academic scrutiny, ignoring government instructions, and conducting programs without UGC approval. The situation has persisted despite repeated efforts by the government to bring these institutions under control, indicating a growing regulatory crisis in the private higher education sector.
Rampant Irregularities: Many of the universities are reportedly: Ignoring UGC directives; continuing operations from temporary campuses for years; Conducting academic programs without proper accreditation; Issuing certificates after offering substandard and unregulated instruction. “The universities are being run as per the will of a few individuals instead of following academic and administrative protocols,” a UGC source stated.
Notable Universities without VCs: Universities currently lacking a Vice-Chancellor include: People’s University, Manarat International University, Premier University, State University, Prime University, Northern University, Southern University, University of South Asia, Royal University of Dhaka, Islamic University, BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, North East University, Exim Bank Agricultural University, Khwaja Yunus Ali University, and German University, among others. Some of these vacancies date as far back as 2020, raising red flags about how these institutions have been functioning without proper oversight for years.
No Treasurers, No Financial Oversight: The Treasurer, as per the Private University Act, is mandated to manage all financial matters, including budget preparation, auditing, and ensuring fiscal discipline. Yet, several universities-including The Millennium University, Royal University of Dhaka, and NPI University-have never appointed a Treasurer since their inception. This lack of oversight in financial operations has sparked fears of widespread financial mismanagement.
Government failing to rein In: Despite repeated warnings and attempts by the UGC and the Ministry of Education, the government has so far failed to enforce accountability. The appointment of key officials such as VCs and Treasurers must be approved by the President, but the prolonged delays and lack of follow-up have left a void in the administration of many universities. Educationists warn that without urgent intervention, the credibility of the entire private university system could be at stake. “This administrative vacuum is not just a governance issue-it’s a threat to the future of higher education in Bangladesh,” said a former UGC official.Despite the growing concern over vacant top positions in private universities, structural and logistical challenges continue to stall the appointment of Vice Chancellors (VCs), Pro-Vice Chancellors (Pro-VCs), and Treasurers across Bangladesh’s private higher education sector. According to sources familiar with the matter, there are 116 private universities currently operating in the country. Each institution is required to fill three key administrative positions-VC, Pro-VC, and Treasurer-making it a total of 348 posts. However, under current regulations, three eligible professors must be nominated for each post, requiring a pool of 1,044 qualified professors in total. Although the combined number of professors in both public and private universities exceeds this figure, many qualified academics are reluctant to join a smaller or remote private university, which makes it difficult for Boards of Trustees to form complete nomination panels. “While larger private universities have no issue sending panels of nine professors for all three top posts, smaller or newer universities face real difficulties in attracting qualified faculty for these roles,” a UGC source said.
Reluctance and Regional Disadvantage: The reluctance of senior academics to accept administrative positions in less prominent or regionally located universities has created a bottleneck. In some cases, universities are unable to meet the basic requirements for proposing names to the Ministry of Education for approval. University insiders acknowledge that this leads to delays in administrative appointments, making institutions more vulnerable to mismanagement and regulatory violations. The absence of key officials like the Treasurer, who oversees financial matters, or the VC, who is responsible for academic and executive decisions, leaves these universities effectively leaderless.
UGC Response and Concerns over Quality: Addressing the issue, UGC Chairman Professor S.M.A. Faiz stated that while many private universities are complying with the government’s requirements and regularly sending nomination proposals, there are several others that are clearly not operating within the legal framework. “We are reviewing what actions can be taken against universities that are not appointing top officials and are not functioning properly,” Prof. Faiz said. “It is time to reassess whether these institutions are truly maintaining educational standards.” He also emphasized the need to evaluate the quality of education in light of the ongoing crisis in governance and administrative structure.
Systemic Failures Add to the Crisis: While some responsibility lies with the universities themselves, the government has also been criticized for delays in approving nominations and failing to enforce accountability. Several universities have not had a VC or Treasurer for years, which experts warn could seriously undermine the credibility of degrees issued by such institutions. Educationists are calling for reforms in the appointment process, suggesting incentives for professors to take up leadership roles in underserved institutions and expedited approval mechanisms from the Ministry of Education.
