The Ministry of Education issued directives to affiliate nine government colleges in Chittagong with the University of Chittagong (CU) to improve the quality of education. Despite nine months having passed since these directives were issued in two phases last April, no visible progress has been made on the matter.
Stakeholders are raising concerns about whether this affiliation will be beneficial, considering the shortage of teachers and infrastructural limitations. Following the affiliation directive last April, the then CU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abu Taher, held a meeting with the principals of the colleges. CU authorities collected various information about the colleges at the meeting. Although the colleges were supposed to be informed about further instructions, nothing was communicated. Subsequently, a new administration took charge, and there have been no further discussions on this issue.
The current administration has stated that a review has been sent to the ministry, along with some conditions. Further steps will be taken in accordance with the ministry’s directives.
Meanwhile, the nine colleges are still operating under the National University, and examinations are being conducted according to the National University’s rules. Teachers and students of these nine colleges are uncertain about whether the colleges will be affiliated with CU. Unable to receive further instructions from the ministry, the CU authorities are also unable to provide a final decision on the matter.
Considering the problems faced by the affiliated colleges of Dhaka University (DU), many speculate that the ministry’s decision might change. Even if the affiliation decision remains, the process for implementation will be announced.
It is known that after the affiliation directive, a meeting was held with the principals of the colleges. However, due to events like the quota reform movement, curfews, calls for the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, and the removal of administrative officials from the university, the matter was sidelined. After taking office, the new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Yahya Akhtar, restructured the new administrative setup. However, he has yet to announce any decision regarding the affiliation of the nine colleges.
Students of the concerned colleges are expressing concerns about whether a situation similar to that of DU will arise in Chittagong as well.
On April 22 last year, four colleges in Chittagong were affiliated with Chittagong University. These colleges are Government City College, Gachbaria Government College (Chandanaish), Chittagong Government Women’s College, and Patiya Government College. Earlier, on April 4, five more colleges were affiliated with CU. These colleges are Chittagong Government College, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Government College, Sir Ashutosh Government College (Boalkhali), Government Commerce College, and Satkania Government College. The nine colleges were affiliated with CU through separate notifications signed by Deputy Secretary Rokhsana Begum of the Ministry of Education.
Most students and teachers are not in favor of affiliating the nine colleges with Chittagong University without a specific policy. They argue that affiliation means that everything about the colleges will fall under the jurisdiction of CU. All certificates and mark sheets will have to be obtained from CU. It is necessary to assess whether CU currently has that capacity.
University officials state that the current student population at Chittagong University is 27,000. Taking on the responsibility of the students from the nine colleges without a plan would create additional pressure on the institution. Due to a lack of adequate manpower and facilities, several departments are experiencing session backlogs due to delays in conducting regular examinations and preparing results for their own students.
Professor Mohammad Kamrul Islam, Principal of Mohsin College, mentioned that after the affiliation notification, they had a meeting with CU authorities in April last year. However, no further updates were provided by CU afterward.
Professor Dr. Amir Mohammad Nasrullah, Acting College Inspector of CU, stated that after the affiliation announcement, the ministry requested an opinion. It has been sent from the university. Now, they will proceed according to what the ministry communicates.
