Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said one of the main reasons the University of Dhaka lags behind in international rankings is politically biased teacher recruitment and a lack of emphasis on academic performance and research culture.
Responding to a question from a student during a views-exchange programme at the university’s Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium, Tarique said, “Unfortunately, the kind of image we associate with Dhaka University is not reflected in international rankings.”
“One of the key reasons is that teachers were probably not recruited in the way they should have been in the past. From what we have heard and read in newspapers, political bias seems to have received more priority,” he added.
The prime minister also said the situation could improve if appointments are made based on academic merit and results.
“If we recruit teachers based on merit and academic results, I think this condition can be changed,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of research publications and citations in improving the university’s academic standing.
“We have seen an absence of the publications and citations that are usually required for teachers and universities,” he said.
Referring to practices followed by globally reputed universities, the prime minister said appointments and promotions there are largely determined by academic performance.
“In good universities around the world, from teacher recruitment to becoming a dean or taking charge of different departments, these matters are usually determined through academic performance,” he said.
Addressing the university administration, the prime minister urged Vice-Chancellor Professor ABM Obaidul Islam to prioritise such reforms in the future.
Earlier in the day, while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled “Transforming Higher Education in Bangladesh” at Dhaka University, the prime minister emphasised the need to strengthen research, innovation and skill-based education to make Bangladesh’s universities globally competitive.
He said Bangladesh must move beyond a memorisation-based and certificate-oriented education system to meet the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and prepare students for the evolving job market.
The prime minister also highlighted the need for stronger industry-academia cooperation, internships, entrepreneurship development and technological advancement, while calling for an education system that places greater emphasis on merit, creativity and knowledge production.
