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The universities in Bangladesh would be turned into seats of free thinking in this changed and new Bangladesh, said professor SMA Faiz, the newly appointed chairman of the University Grants Commission.

‘But certainly it does not mean that someone can talk whatever he or she wants,’ he added, viewing that in universities one should be able to oppose other people’s thinking by expressing one’s opinion.

Through argument and debate, logic would prevail and no illogical decision could be imposed on someone, he continued.

The educator also said, ‘The trend of forcing the students to attend rallies or political activities—these things cannot be allowed anymore.’

SMA Faiz, a former professor of soil, water and environment department of Dhaka University, also a former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University and former chairman of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission, talked with ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· on September 12 about his plans and the country’s current situation of higher education.

The government appointed him as the University Grants Commission chairman on September 5 after the previous chairman and members resigned following the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, when she resigned and fled to India in the face of a student-led mass uprising.

SMA Faiz said that the young generation changed the old Bangladesh and taught people to start afresh.

‘Along with new environment and opportunities new challenges will also come,’ he said, adding, ‘we shall take challenges very sincerely for doing something good for society and the young generation in particular.’

The concept of university essentially embodies freedom of thought and speech, he said, adding, ‘if someone thinks that I am right and the rest of the world is wrong, that is not right.’

Noting that previously the universities lagged far behind that point of view, he said that the institutions would no way be allowed to slip back to that state anymore. 

‘We will have to proceed forward from here,’ he said, adding, ‘the highly conscious young generation make decisions correctly and we will extend our support to them.’

The UGC chairman also hoped to curb irregularities in the universities.

He said that the government should meet all expenses in the public universities as at present higher education became very expensive, particularly internationally recognised research.

The responsibility of the universities is to recognise and mitigate through research the problems in society, he said.

As conducting research has become far more expensive than it was previously, he further said, along with the government, the alumni of the universities and businesses as part of their corporate social responsibility could extend research facilities for the universities.

Most private universities are seriously falling behind in research work, noted the professor, and said that the commission would consider the matter.

Back again on free thinking, he said that while it was normal for a university teacher to have political awareness and views, but his or her political views should not be reflected in classes.

The vice-chancellors in particular were expected to maintain that position strictly, he further said.

‘Those who have desire for the chairs only should never be considered for the position of vice-chancellor,’ he said.

About student politics, the educator said that decisions on student politics should be taken based on discussions with the students.

Following allegations of some students against the cluster-based admission tests in the public universities, the university grants commission is set to form a committee soon after the member for the position would join and within around a week decision would be taken in this regard, he said.

About the private universities, Faiz said that the commission would make sure that these institutions could never be business-centric organisations.

‘Without any government support it is difficult for the private universities to find land for a permanent campus,’ he said, adding, ‘in most cases, the university authorities are building permanent campuses by creating pressure on the students which is not acceptable.’

The commission would discuss the matter as a team, he said.  

‘Cooperation is more useful instead of surveillance,’ he said, ‘cooperation brings success everywhere.’

SMA Faiz joined Dhaka University as a teacher in 1973.

‘Nowadays the students are much more qualified than us, they are highly talented,’ he said and observed about the recent student protest, ‘who will stop these vibrant, emotionally charged, highly spirited, dedicated, devoted and intelligent students?’

‘We will respectfully hold the expectations and ideas of the young generation,’ he said.

‘We will recognise their sacrifices and contribution respectfully,’ added the professor.