Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said, “In higher education there is no difference between public and private universities.”
He added, “We do not discriminate among government and private universities, schools, colleges or Madrasas education. Merit comes first.”
Last Tuesday (8th March, 2016), on the “University Day” celebration programme of Varendra University situated in Rajshahi, the Education Minister said these.
The programme was arranged at Kharkhari Bypass, Rajshahi -the proposed permanent campus site of Varendra University.
Nahid said, “After independence there were only 6 public universities but now the number is 38. And up to 2009 there were 56 private universities but now the number is 91.”
He also said, “There are almost 1.5 lakh more students in private universities than public universities. So the government aims at providing quality education to these students. And for that reason Private University Act 2010 will contribute tremendously. These students will graduate receiving global standard education.”
Before saying all these, the Education Minister inaugurated the programme by hoisting the national flag of Bangladesh and Varendra University Flag respectively. And then as a symbol of progress, prosperity and peace he freed a number of pigeons and balloons.
In the programme, Chairman of Varendra University Trust, Mr. Hafizur Rahman Khan said, “In 2012 Varendra University had only 87 students. And after 4 years the number of student is now 3500. ”
He said, “Confidence of students and guardians will help us to move forward.”
In the program following dignitaries were present as special guests: Former Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation, Mr. AHM Khairuzzaman Liton; Former High Commissioner of Bangladesh to UK, Dr. M. Sayeedur Rahman Khan; Member of the Parliament, Mr. Md. Ayeen Uddin; Member, UGC, Dr. M Shah Nowaz Ali; Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi Univeristy, Professor Dr. Muhammad Mizanuddin; Vice Chancellor of RUET, Professor Dr. Mohd. Rafiqul Alam Beg; and Vice Chancellor of North Bengal International University, Rajshahi, Professor Dr. Abdul Khaleque.
After the inaugural programme, celebrity singers Subir Nondi and James performed in the cultural session.