University Teachers Propose Far-Reaching Sectoral Reforms
Mohiuddin Alamgir | 20 September 2024 | University World News
Bangladesh’s University Teachers Network (UTN), which actively supported students involved in the recent protests that led to the overthrow of the regime of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, was among a group of stakeholders that put forward proposals aimed at reforming higher education in Bangladesh.
At a discussion at Dhaka University (DU) on 19 August the UTN called for “modern universities that support freedom of thought and encourage students to ask questions”.
The network urged the interim government – led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus – to “be accommodating”, and to allow universities to operate autonomously, without political interference.
Other key proposals included holding teachers accountable for classroom performance and decentralising decision-making powers currently concentrated in vice-chancellors.