The University Grants Commission is going to put a government observer in every trustee board of private universities by amending related laws.
The move comes after it emerged that students of private institutions are getting engaged in violent extremism.
The UGC has formed a three-strong committee to supervise the allegations of militant activities in all public and private universities.
Its Chairman Professor Abdul Mannan, who is on a committee on the amendment to the private university law, said at a news conference on Sunday that the commission had made some recommendations on the matter.
“Bangladesh Bank can appoint observer to any bank’s board of directors. We are making similar arrangements. We’ve recommended inclusion of the provision in the law during amendment,” he said.
A total of 95 private universities have government permission. Of them, 85 are currently operating.
Both the government and the parents are concerned after private university students from well-off families were found to be taking to militancy.
UGC Additional Director Md Omar Faruq said commission member Md Akter Hossain is heading the committee to supervise the allegations of militant activities in the universities.
The other members are Deputy Director Jesmine Parveen and Deputy Secretary Shahed Siraj.
“The committee can visit any university anytime to collect information,” Faruq said.
A number of private university students have been convicted of 2013 murder of blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider.
Some of the attackers killed in Gulshan and Sholakia terror attacks were also from private universities.
The suspected militants killed in Kalyanpur raid also included some private university students.
Most of the private university students involved in the three incidents were from North South University.
