Universities to be ranked every three years under Higher Education Commission ordinance draft

The Ministry of Education has published a draft of the Bangladesh Higher Education Commission Ordinance and invited opinions within 30 working days. The draft was released by the ministry's Secondary and Higher Education Division on Monday (15 December). It states that universities across the country will be ranked every three years.

In the section outlining the commission's functions, the draft says it will determine appropriate criteria for ranking universities and, based on those criteria, will rank universities every three years and publish the results publicly. Universities ranked at the lower end will be brought under special monitoring for quality improvement.

The commission will assist universities in developing course curricula aligned with those of internationally ranked universities, facilitating inter-university credit transfers, and implementing student, teacher, and researcher exchange programmes. The commission may also adopt and implement appropriate programmes in this regard when necessary.

The draft states that the commission will determine necessary requirements for education and research at the university level, taking into account the interests and welfare of teachers and students. It will formulate plans and policies to ensure quality improvement in higher education and develop necessary guidelines. The commission will assess the financial needs of universities and prepare necessary budgets.

The commission will monitor the budget implementation process of universities to ensure transparency and accountability in the financial management of all universities. It will supervise, examine, and evaluate the activities of local and foreign research and development projects being implemented by universities for the development of academic departments, institutes, and other affiliated or constituent institutions.

The draft further states that the commission will examine, audit, and evaluate all types of development plans of universities. It will collect, review, and take necessary measures regarding statistics and other information related to universities and higher education. The necessity, importance, and priority of establishing new universities will be determined by the commission.

The commission will set minimum conditions for establishing new universities or introducing new departments, faculties, institutes, programmes, or courses in existing universities. Considering qualifications and suitability, the commission will decide on granting degree-awarding status to any recognised educational institution and issue necessary orders in this regard.

The letter accompanying the published draft states that the draft of the Bangladesh Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2025 has been sent, and opinions on this draft ordinance should be submitted to the division within the next 30 working days. Regarding the formation of the commission, it states that the commission will be composed of one chairman, eight commissioners, and ten part-time members. The chairman and commissioners will be appointed by the appointing authority.