Rajshahi, January 22: The English Department of Rajshahi University is continuing evening courses ignoring the University Grants Commission (UGC) order to stop. A notification regarding masters of arts degree and certificate courses admission test has been published on the university website recently.
Earlier on 9 December, President M Abdul Hamid criticized such courses at the convocation programme of Dhaka University saying that commercial courses are turning public universities into business institutions disrupting campus atmosphere. Following this remark, and noting that conducting evening courses tarnishes the features and reputation of public universities, the UGC ordered closure of such courses at all the public universities.
It came up with the order in a 13-point directive letter sent to all the public universities on December 11, about properly following the rules and regulations in the higher educational institutions. On 24 December, Rajshahi University formed an 11-member committee headed by pro vice chancellor professor Ananda Kumar Saha to consider whether the university would continue its evening courses.
According to sources, on 15 January, an admission notification of evening masters courses and certificate courses, signed by arts faculty dean, English department chair, evening MA in English committee and evening MA in ELT (English Language Teaching) chief, was published on the university’s website.
The applicants’ eligibility, admission test schedule, pass marks and necessary information were mentioned in that notification. When asked, the English Department chair, Professor Abdullah Al Mamun said that as per the university ordinance, the academic commission has passed a final decision to close the evening courses. “If the university has taken a decision to close such courses from all the departments, we are ready to stop that course.” he said.
However, the university committee has not taken effective steps till now. RU pro vice chancellor, professor Ananda Kumar Saha, said that final decisions are not made for closure of evening courses, while adding that there is no chance to start evening courses after announcement of closure of evening courses.