Muhammad Hassan

The discussion on the international ranking of our country's public universities has been running for a long time. Every year, our country's public university ranking is failing to fulfill the expectations. Among the top 800 universities in the world, we do not have any public universities, which raises questions about the quality of education in public universities. But our neighbor's country India, and Pakistan's many universities are regularly included in this list. This highlights the deficient aspects of our country's higher education quality.

University rankings are mainly created based on the quality of education, relationship with industry, international cooperation, and students' benefits and opportunities. No university can reach world ranking status without research. But our country's public universities lack adequate funds and an environment for research. Many teachers and students are interested in research but are held back by the lack of necessary support.

The big challenge is the flattery politics practiced by students and teachers in public universities, which hampers the research environment. Talents are not being evaluated properly due to the influence of party politics. Political party wings, student and teacher leaders influence teacher recruitment, administrative activities, residential halls, and development project tenders. Talent and merit should be given priority by reducing political influence in education.

Improving the quality of education requires well-organized and long-term planning. Changes in the education system are frequent, but they are often made based on one-sided decisions, which are a hindrance to students. A stable, timely, and internationally qualified education policy should be developed to raise the research environment.

To encourage students in research, adequate funding or a budget is needed. In developed countries, universities have research centers, links with industry, and opportunities to participate in international projects. We need to increase such initiatives here as well.

Not only public universities but also private universities should create a research-friendly environment. Many private universities have limited research opportunities, so students are only pursuing degrees. The main aim of the university should be to contribute to society through the creation of new knowledge and research.

In our country, education is still seen mainly as a tool to get a job. A major reason for the low interest in research is the lack of research-based professions. If there is an opportunity to develop research as a profession, then talented students and teachers will be more interested in this field.

Instead of just worrying about ranking, we must identify the deficiencies and eliminate them. We can compete globally only by ensuring a research-friendly environment, developing an internationally qualified curriculum, encouraging talent, and building an education system free from political influence.

The writer is a, student of the Department of Development Studies at Islamic University in Kushtia.