Published: 01:25 AM, 19 June 2026
An Impartial Outlook Should Be Exercised to Empower Tertiary Academic Standards
As Bangladesh strides towards an ambitious future, the conversation often centers on economic growth, technological progress, and social sophistication. But what truly underpins these aspirations? The answer unquestionably lies in education. While our deservingly glorified public universities have long been the traditional torchbearers of learning, a silent revolution has always been there, powered by the much younger private universities. These institutions, often misunderstood and unfairly stigmatized, are not merely alternatives but increasingly ineliminable partners in shaping a dynamic and prosperous Bangladesh. It’s time we forego old biases and recognize their profound impact, for in empowering them, we truly will be able to empower our nation’s tomorrow.
Why are more and more students, and their parents, choosing the private, or, the more “apparently” expensive path? The reasons are as varied as they are compelling. Beyond the academic rigour, a significant draw is the sanctuary from campus politics - an unfortunate reality that often darkens learning in many public institutions. While the ideal of student politics as a crucible for nation-building lingers, the current landscape more often reveals the story otherwise. Much contrarily, private universities strive for leadership and organizational skills through rich and constructive practices of extracurricular activities, rooting for a safer, more focused environment where academic pursuits truly flourish. Furthermore, for those settled in urban centers, avoiding relocation for higher education offers invaluable convenience, while the general absence of nepotism and bias within private universities ensures a more meritocratic journey for aspiring minds. And as for corruption, a tough challenge elsewhere, good private universities largely stand more tilted toward integrity, ensuring resources are directed where they truly belong; towards the enterprises of student development and research.
The narrative that a private university education is a “waste of money” is rapidly unraveling in the face of undeniable success stories. Countless graduates from these universities are now building enviable careers, a testimony to the quality of education and career preparedness they receive. It’s ironic, perhaps, that the significant sums many lower-middle-income families invest to secure GPA 5s for their children in SSC and HSC - often at the expense of character development in those vulnerable years - frequently meet or even exceed the cost of a degree from a credible private university.
Globally, the transformative prowess of private universities is undeniable. Look no further than the Times Higher Education Ranking 2025, where six of the world’s top ten universities are private. The QS 2025 Ranking, while featuring four private universities in its top ten, showcases the unbroken twelve-year reign of the private Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) at number one.
Yet, amidst stereotypical perceptions, our private universities are demonstrably leading the charge in a critical area: research and innovation. This is the very bedrock of progress, enabling the astonishing advancements we see globally and laying the groundwork for future breakthroughs. Recent data from the University Grants Commission (UGC) paints a revealing picture: the top four universities in research spending across Bangladesh - encompassing both public and private institutions - are all private universities: BRAC University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, American International University Bangladesh, and Daffodil International University. A 2022 UGC report further illuminates this trend: while 43 public universities spent Tk. 120 crore on research (averaging Tk. 2.79 crore each), 87 private universities collectively invested a remarkable Tk. 288 crore, averaging Tk. 3.31 crore per institution. This commitment to research, despite often operating with less to no direct government spending, speaks volumes about their dedication to knowledge creation.
Despite these significant contributions and their pivotal role in national progress, students of private universities often endure an undeserved stigma, as if their choice somehow implies a lesser academic standing. This perception persists even as public universities struggle with persistent issues of political unrest and multifaceted corruption. Private universities have largely navigated their journey independently, with minimal government support. Let alone private universities, over the past decade, governmental focus has seemingly remained towards establishing new public universities, rather than promisingly reforming the existing public universities.
However, the immense potential consistently demonstrated by our private universities demands a re-evaluation of this approach. With the equitably right level of support and recognition from the government - support that is truly deserved and delivered without any hint of belittlement or discrimination - these institutions are certain to reach greater heights more progressively. The future of Bangladesh is inextricably linked to the strength and anonymity of its higher education, and in empowering our private universities, we are indeed charting a bolder, brighter course for the nation.
Nafis Ehsas Chowdhury is an Intern,
Human Resources at
M. M. Ispahani Limited.
