Success Factors of the Diffrent Public and Private Universities of Bangladesh

The number of universities in our countries is increasing on a daily basis due to the fact that an increasing number of students are choosing to pursue tertiary education. Universities in our country have come a long way ever since the establishment of the first university – University of Dhaka – in 1921. Private universities are also mushrooming ever since the advent of North South University, which was established in 1992.

Today there are many universities but only a few have made it big and cemented their places as the premiers of educational institution. There are many factors that determine the success of universities from each other. This report attempts to analyze these factors by considering a sample of 6 universities – 5 private and 1 public university.

The research was conducted through a sample of 150 students spanning across 6 universities. The research findings highlighted that although most universities have distinguished and capable faculty members, teaching methods and feedback are often below par which leads to frustration on behalf of the students. In addition, the career placement opportunities as well as the curriculum of these universities need to be changed in order to focus on a more research-based and practical syllabus which challenges the analytical ability of students, thereby shifting away from the traditional and destructive memorizing mindset.

However, not all is negative within the universities of Bangladesh. The universities interviewed in this report tend to provide sound infrastructural support, particularly in terms of up-to-date and state-of-the-art computer centers and libraries. In addition, a rigorous admission procedure ensures that only the very best of students make it to these top universities.

Incorporating both the positives as well as the negatives, this study has attempted to perfect and build a model of the ideal university that not only guarantees excellent academic credentials but also ensures sustainability by involving in an interactive and practical experience by actively engaging the mindsets of both students and teachers.

Background

The number of universities in Bangladesh is steadily on the rise, as more and more students are pursuing tertiary education every year. With higher numbers of students passing their secondary exams (i.e. SSC and HSC exams) and more rigorous job demands which require higher degrees, pursuing tertiary education has become a generally accepted trend among most students of Bangladesh.

University of Dhaka, established in 1921, is the oldest university of the country. Bangladeshi universities are affiliated with the University Grants Commission (UGC), a commission created according to the Presidential Order (P.O. No 10 of 1973) of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Universities in Bangladesh are mainly categorized into three different types — Public (government owned and subsidized), Private (private sector owned universities), and International (operated and funded by international organizations such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference).

Generally, the accepted norm back in the days was to get enrolled into public universities such as University of Dhaka (DU) or Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in order to complete one’s tertiary education as well as enhance prestige. However, over the span of time, the acceptance quotas for these universities have hardly increased in response to the skyrocketing number of university applicants. Therefore, pursuing tertiary education in private universities has become a popular choice due to limited seats in public universities, and a large number of private universities have sprung over the last decade to cater to the academic needs of the growing student population.

Today there are a large number of private, public and international universities in Bangladesh – approximately 84[1]. However, not all universities are equally successful – some are known in all corners of the country, while some struggle to make their impact in the market. There are a variety of factors and reasons boosting the success rates of the individual universities.

This report aims to investigate the underlying factors propelling the success of the 6 different private and public universities, and why some of the universities are more successful than others. The problems they face in their day-to-day operations are also investigated. In addition, the possibility of sustaining this success through a long-term model is explored in the context of Bangladesh.

Methodology of Research

This research was based on both qualitative and quantitative studies.

• In order to carry out the research, a sample of 6 universities was chosen. The universities in question are:
  • Institute of Business Administration (IBA)
  • North South University Bangladesh (NSU)
  • American International University of Bangladesh (AIUB)
  • Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB)
  • BRAC University
  • East West University (EWU)
• The first part of the qualitative study consisted of secondary data collection and analysis. It was based on information from various research articles, reviews, blogs and papers. The literature review was undertaken to determine the extent to which the universities met the parameters of success.
• The second part of the qualitative study was based on primary data collection and analysis. The survey technique used was Key Informant Interview. It was used to gather relevant information from different authorities (such as university professors) for their opinions.
• The quantitative study was based on primary data in the form of a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire prepared was close-ended and objective. It was used as an authentication for the primary qualitative studies.
• The survey technique used for the quantitative was institutional interview.
• The sampling technique used was non-probability sampling.
• The total sample size for the students was 150. 25 students were interviewed from each of the 6 institutions, leading to this total figure.
• Data gathered from the quantitative studies were analyzed using various statistical tools.
• Using the statistical tools, the relevant success factors were found out.

The relevant success and sustainability factors were then used to make a strategic formulation for the long term sustainability of universities and finally make logical recommendations.

Limitation of the Research

The area of the research was so extended, that we have suffered from some limitations for which the smoothness of the work had been hampered. There were some specific bindings which acted as constraints to our research and needs to be mentioned here:

• The major limitation of the research is that it is considering limited number of universities and students in Bangladesh.
• Choosing a limited number of leading universities may not necessarily reflect the underlying success factors for all other media of tertiary education. In other words, generalization may not prove to be the key to the hidden truth.
• The students chosen may not reflect the actual sample of the university. To that end, the results may be inaccurate and may not mirror the actual perceptions held by the existing students of the respective institutions.
• The consistent objectivity of the parameters for determining success and sustainability factors may be dependent on underlying factors rather than on the perceptions of students.
• Some of the respondents were not so interested towards the filling of the questionnaire. This may have led to some biased opinion, which may have affected the outcome.

Scope of the Research

The report was primary conducted within the BBA students of the different private universities. This is because they were compared with each other and with the leading public university in business education, Institute of Business Administration (IBA). Therefore, the report is limited to BBA students of the different private universities only and IBA only.

Literature Review

A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is a corporation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education. The word university is derived from the Latin universitas magistrorum et scholarium, roughly meaning “community of teachers and scholars.” (Wikipedia, 2011)

Universities in Bangladesh are currently the focus of students and businessmen alike due to the booming prospects of tertiary education. As more and more students seek tertiary education, providing universities has become a profitable venture for many entrepreneurs. However, providing quality and consistency is also important as this education will determine the future of the nation.

The emergence and the growth of private universities in Bangladesh have taken a phenomenal shape in recent years. Private universities are playing an important role in spreading the opportunities of higher education in our country. But in recent years widespread allegations were raised against these universities that some are selling certificates and easy-to-get degrees while featuring very poor teaching quality, poor infrastructure and high tuition fees, among others.   (Naser, 2009)

The overall development of a society is largely determined by the quality of its education, especially higher education. A well-educated, well-trained population could propel a nation towards rapid economic growth. Despite lack of natural resources, countries such as Japan, Korea, and Singapore have made rapid economic progress. This was because they invested heavily in education and training. On the other hand, countries such as Nigeria or Congo, despite Enormous natural resources are poor and backward because of large-scale illiteracy and lack of a skilled work force. In Bangladesh, education, especially the higher education system, has failed to meet the demands of time. While job opportunities are limited in Bangladesh, there is a serious shortage of suitably qualified candidates for employment. There has been no comprehensive and long-range study to assess the kind of human resource the nation needs, and neither has there been a computation of the number of trained personnel in each category. It is only the World Bank that has carried out a short assessment on the issue. That study reveals the difference between the actual requirement of the country and availability of people trained and educated in different disciplines. (Jamal, 2007)

Universities, both public and private, play a vital role in creating a pool of highly educated and trained specialists. In Bangladesh, thousands of students who pass the higher secondary examination cannot get admission to the few public universities due to limited seats. The lucky ones who do get admission become hostage to endemic campus violence, session jams and poor academic atmosphere. In order to alleviate the situation, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) in 1992 promulgated an ordinance permitting the establishment of private universities. Some welcomed this development with a sigh of relief, while others viewed it with reservation. They argued that private universities in Bangladesh were destined to fail because those would not deliver enough benefits to the society. Some private universities, even while charging high tuition fees, do not maintain expected academic standards. Consequently, there is serious doubt about the efficacy of private universities in delivering quality higher education. The mushrooming of private universities and the manner of their operation raises questions and concerns. There is no published study report on the private universities’ operating systems, financial management, education curriculum and other pertinent issues.

The need for private universities is now beyond question. Ever since 1992 the private universities have been playing an important role in developing various academic disciplines. At present more than 46 thousand students are studying in 53 or so private universities and whereas the rate of increase in the number of students in public universities is around 5% and the growth rate of private universities is 33.83%.  (SSM Sadrul Huda, 2010)

Therefore, it is apparent that more universities – specifically private ones – are needed to cater to the increasing number of students. However, it is imperative to guarantee quality as well since a poor educational experience can hamper a student’s intrinsic talents and capabilities. Therefore, it is important to provide the right educational experience in order to achieve success in this field.

Institute of Business Administration (IBA)

Case Study

IBA was founded in 1966 in collaboration with Indiana University, Bloomington, USA, under a Ford Foundation Financial Assistance Program with the objective of providing professional training to provide graduate level education to students. It is widely regarded as the best business school in the country. From its inception in 1966 until 1993, the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) was the academic program offered by IBA. In 1993, after a review initiated by Professor Dr. M Shamsul Haque (Former Director, IBA; and former Treasurer, Dhaka University), a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program was added.

Major reasons for the success of the Institute of Business Administration involve:

Competitive Admission Process:

Ever since the inception of the institute it has its own stringent admission process. The process is comparable to the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), thus the institute has been following an international standard of admission process. Over the years, the admission process has helped to ensure that the university recruits the best students in the country. This is one of the major highlights for the success of IBA. Even today, it maintains the reputation of having the most difficult and competitive admission process. Each year a total of more than 5,000 students compete for limited seats for 120 students.

Strong Focus on Club Activities:

IBA Communication Club (IBACC) has set the platform for students to participate in various extracurricular activities. This ranges from participation in business competitions to debating competitions both in Bangladesh in foreign countries. This exposure to extracurricular activities is a source of value addition to the learning process of students. Over the years, IBA students have been successful in a wide array of international competitions such as HSBC Young Entrepreneur’s Award, Marketing Agencies Association Worldwide (MAAW) Awards, Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC) and many others. This is a clear indication of the success of the students of IBA in international landscape.

Excellent Faculty Base:

The university has a qualified and talented pool of faculty who are the leaders in the business world. The faculties range from excellent academicians to business leaders. Faculties with substantial experience in the business world teach the students of this university. Since, the faculties have the exposure of successfully managing their own business firms; they are able to pass on this valuable knowledge to the students. Furthermore, the faculties have strong affiliation with the university for many years. The experience, exposure and talented pool of faculties ensure that the students receive the best in business education in Bangladesh.

Strong Alumni Network:

IBA pioneered in the creation and maintenance of its large and successful alumni network. This was a source of great value addition and competitive edge for the students. The alumni consist of successful business professionals in different fields of the corporate world. The alumni constantly helps the students find contacts in the corporate world and help them learn from their experience. For instance, while working in reports and presentations, the students are able to gain valuable information about the companies from their alumni network. Moreover, the alumni network plays an important role in job placement for the students. Finally, the alumni network holds seminar and workshops to share their valuable experience in the corporate world. The top business schools in the world are successful for their own reputed alumni network and IBA manages to follow a similar model.

Analysis of student perceptions

The different factors relative to student perceptions have been judged. They are presented as follows:

 Perception of the quality of education

Students have a very positive attitude towards the overall quality of education offered at IBA. Majority agree with the statement that the quality of education offered is excellent.This can be attributed to the qualified and talented pool of faculty who are the leaders in the business world. The faculties range from excellent academicians to business leaders. Faculties with substantial experience in the business world teach the students of this university.

The findings are correlated with the perception of the student about the standard of the university. There is a strong agreement about the university being of international standard. Further probing reveals that this is due to the competitive admission process of the university. The admission process is comparable to the SAT exam used globally as a standard admission benchmark for students. IBA remains successful for such an admission process.

Perception of the Faculty Members

There is a strong reputation in the market for the faculty members of IBA. Even the other universities seek to persuade them to teach at their universities. More than 90% of the students surveyed agreed that the faculty members are highly qualified.

Moreover, the students find the method of teaching very engaging. These are some of the positive aspects of the faculties of IBA. However, majority of the students perceive that the faculties do not provide proper counseling. Further probing reveals that this is due to the lack of time faculties spend in the campus. There are a decreasing number of full time faculties in IBA. The faculties are involved in teaching in other universities or have to manage their own businesses. There is an increasing pressure and demand for such faculties; hence they are unable to spend time for counseling of students. This is viewed as a major drawback of the university.

Perception of the Examinations 

The recent adoption of international case based examination is highly favored by the students. However, the proportion of faculties employing such methods is still low. Majority of the students have a very negative perception about the examination method.

More than 80% of the students feel that the examinations are memorization based, meaning that the students would have to memorize the theories and concepts without using any form of analysis or rationale. Such formats of exams are prehistoric and certainly not up to the international standards.

On the bright side, there is a strong focus on research based work in the curriculum which is following the international standards. The students have gained substantial exposure to research based work and strongly agree on the matter. Curriculum focused on research enhances the learning process for the students and gives them a better understanding of reality of the business concepts.

 Perception of the Assignments & Reports

One of the core advantages of the university lies in the focus on research based work. The reports and assignments are designed to strengthen the practical skills of the students. There is a large scope for field work which allows them to learn from the real world business ventures.

Despite the advantages of the method of assignment and reports, there is a strong lacking. More than 90% students agree that no feedback is provided on their work. The students do receive a grading based on their work. But, there is no detailed feedback to illustrate the positive and negative aspects of their work. This significantly hinders the learning process for the students.

Perception on the Infrastructure

In terms of the infrastructure available, there is a negative perception among the students. Despite the government funded institute the library is perceived to be substandard. The students complained about the lack of recent edition of textbooks, the lack of diverse book source, and the lack of support staff to help them locating the book. Thus, the library seems to be a major source of drawback in terms of the infrastructure and needs major improvement to create a positive attitude among students.

The students also have a very negative perception about the computer center. More than 90% students commented on the lack of updates computers, the lack of support staff, and the lack of color printing facility. The students were unhappy about the lack of access to good online journals from the university. The computers were outdated and most were infected by computer virus. Thus the students have to largely dependent on their own laptops for use.

In terms of infrastructure the university is lacking behind other private universities.

Perception on International Affiliation

Despite the initial collaboration of IBA with Indiana University, the current international ties are very poor. The students are not exposed to any international programs and are not benefitted from any form of international affiliation. This has been strongly voiced by the students.

  Perception on Club Activities

IBA is reputed for its strong business communication club. It is one of the leading clubs in Bangladesh. However, the university lacks diversity in terms of the activities and there are no other types of clubs. It is strongly reputed for its prominence in participation of international competitions and events.

Perception on the Alumni Network

IBA is well known for its alumni network. It pioneered in establish a strong community among its alumni network. The network has helped placement in work, training opportunities and also counseling to students. This gives IBA the leading edge in the business community.

North South University (NSU)

Case Study

North South University (NSU) is the first government-approved private university of Bangladesh. The university, where the language of instruction is English, offers a number of undergraduate and master’s degrees in the fields of Business Administration, Computer Science, Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Environmental Management, Economics, English and Architecture, among others. It also offers courses for general and continuing education. About 10,000 students are currently enrolled at North South University. In its 12th Convocation Ceremony in 2009, 1,074[2] students were awarded degrees in undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

The first cohort of freshman intake of January 1993 had 137 students enrolled in three departments: Business Administration, Computer Science, and Economics. The departments of Environmental Studies (DES), English and General and Continuing Education (GCE) were founded later. The Masters Program in Economics was introduced in 1994, while the MBA Program was launched in summer 1997. The Masters in Development Studies and Bachelor in Computer Engineering were introduced in 2002. Further degrees were gradually established, with the latest addition being BS in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Bs.EEE) in spring 2009.

Today, NSU is definitely one of the largest private universities in Bangladesh and is the leading choice for many students seeking a tertiary education at a reputed institute.  The campus at Basundhara – formally inaugurated on June 2009 – is capable of serving 12,000 students with modern amenities and facilities. It comprises six buildings with 3 basements on 6 acres of land having 125,000sq.ft. of floor space.

NSU’s success story may be narrowed down to five specific factors:

1. It offers socially relevant academic programs/curricula which meet the needs of the students coming from different backgrounds and seeking different career goals. These programs are also in demand in the job market and hence students are able to gain employment in a diverse range of subjects after completing their education from NSU.
2. It hires highly qualified and internationally experienced academics to teach those courses relevant to a changing environment. Dynamic teachers are the key to holding together the reputation of the institution through the times by continuously innovating and changing teaching methods to fit the times.
3. NSU, through a rigorous selection process, admits only those students who demonstrate the potential to pursue and complete the programs of study they select.  Therefore, NSU has the very best of talent with which to equip the necessary skills and knowledge.
4. It provides the necessary infrastructural facilities and logistic support and an environment conducive to teaching and learning. This means providing such facilities as a modern and up-to-date international library, as well as a state-of-the-art computer center to assist the students in gaining a strong foothold in today’s tech-savvy world. In addition, the existence of different clubs helps students gain an all-round experience in other important areas such as charity work and debating.
5. It practices the principles of good governance that encourage academic freedom and faculty-governance. Therefore, students are not misguided or led astray by wrong guidance and therefore are set on the right paths, towards which they can blaze to the top of their careers and achieve their stated goals.

Analysis of student perceptions

The different factors relative to student perceptions have been judged. They are presented as follows:

Perception of the quality of education

In general, students tend to have a very positive perception of the quality of education in NSU. 28% of respondents moderately agreed that the quality of education is excellent, while one-fifth (20%) of respondents tended to strongly agree with this statement. This could be due to the fact that NSU recruits excellent and academically established teachers as well as maintaining a rigorous and strict admission procedure.

However, most students tend to disagree with the statement that the education level can be compared to international standards. 28% of the respondents were in moderate disagreement with the fact, stating that although the general level of education is decent by Bangladeshi standards, the curriculum has to be updated before it can be on par with international standards. Many students pointed out to the fact that NSU cannot compete with other universities in international competitions – a testament that it still has a lot of work to do before catching up to foreign standards.

The results of the respondents’ answers to these two questions are illustrated in the figures below:

Perception of faculty members

A large number (28%) – almost one-third – of the respondents agreed that most of the faculty members meet expected standards. This may be due to the fact that most NSU faculty members hold distinguished degrees – namely, PhD and masters’ degrees from reputed North American universities. Indeed, one of the criteria for applying to the post of NSU faculty demands that the applicant have a North American degree. Therefore, most faculty members are perceived to have superb capabilities and give no cause for complaint.

However, when asked whether faculty teaching methods were interesting, 12% tended to strongly disagree, while 20% and 28% strongly and weakly agreed with the statement respectively. This goes to show that although the faculty members possess the necessary knowledge and qualifications, there is a communication gap where imparting the knowledge is concerned. A lack of innovative and interesting teaching methods may lead to widespread communication and knowledge gaps if not addressed properly.

The results of the two questions are shown below:

Perception of examination methods

When it comes to the examination procedures at NSU, students overall tend to have a negative perception. For example, when asked whether the examinations still call for rigorous memorizing drills instead of using their intellect and analytical abilities, almost half – an overwhelming 48% – of students tended to strongly agree with the statement, illustrating that perhaps NSU is still taking the wrong approach when it comes to testing students of their knowledge.

Regarding the content of the examinations, students do not have a very positive perception either. When asked whether exams were based on international case studies, 24% of respondents strongly disagreed with the statement, showing that important things that require focus (i.e. international case studies for exposure to the real-world and practical scenario) are still being ignored in favor of a more memorization-based approach. Therefore, the students claim that they are not being tested of their practical knowledge and application skills and are instead forced to repeat the cycle of memorization and examinations.

The results of the two questions are shown below:

Perception of infrastructural support

NSU provides decent infrastructural support in order to facilitate the students’ pursuit of knowledge.  When asked about the state of the library at NSU, 32% moderately agreed while 24% strongly agreed that the library is of international standard. Therefore, it is apparent that students always have access to a wealth of knowledge in the form of up-to-date books, which can be used as excellent sources of both reference as well as gaining further knowledge.

In addition, when asked about the state of the computer center, an overwhelming 40% responded strongly that the computer center at NSU is top-notch. In today’s tech-savvy world, having an excellent computer center is a must in order to gain access to online sources of information as well as connect with remote sources of information. In addition, well-equipped computers are required to complete assignments and reports within the university premises. Therefore, by providing an excellent and up-to-date computer center, NSU is facilitating the students in the pursuit of online knowledge.

The results of the response of the two questions are shown below:

 Perception of international affiliation

NSU is very well affiliated with international universities and there is ample scope for students to take part in international competitions, events and even exchange programs. When asked whether the clubs are affiliated with international universities, 32% tended to agree with the statement. Apparently, there are often events co-hosted with clubs of foreign universities, such as debate competitions. In particular, the students pointed out the existence of AIESEC – an international student body that many students of NSU take part in, which allows for greater interaction with people from all around the world.

In addition, when the respondents were asked whether the clubs allowed for participation in international events and competitions, 32% tended to strongly agree and 16% tended to moderately agree with the statement. More specifically, the respondents claimed that NSU students have ample opportunity to partake in international business and debating competitions, and debating teams visit foreign countries to partake in international competitions every year on a regular basis.

The results of the respondents’ answers are shown below:

Perception of career placement

The NSU placement office still needs addressing when it comes to careers of students. Almost one-fourth – or 24%, to be more specific – of students believe that the career placement office is ineffective in providing employment to students. The respondents pointed out that often they have to seek out jobs on their own because of the lack of efficacy of the placement office in securing jobs for the students upon graduation.

In addition, there is a lack of events in order to train students on the requirements of the corporate world. One-fifth – or 20% – of the respondents think that the career placement office does not host necessary events in order to equip them with the proper skills and knowledge that they need in order to shine in the corporate world.

The results of the two questions are shown below:

Perception of alumni and financial aid

The university does not have a very strong alumni network. When asked about the alumni network in NSU, 28% of respondents stated that the university has a very weak alumni network in comparison to other universities, citing institutions such as IBA as an example. This lack of a strong alumni association often causes problems, particularly in jobs and in events such as university picnics, where alumni commonly extend financial assistance and help.

When asked whether the university provides necessary financial to those who need it, 24% of students strongly agreed that it does. For example, merit-based scholarships and tuition fee waivers are available to those in need. In addition, those securing a certain CGPA or a top position in the admission test are granted with tuition fee waivers of up to even 100%.

The results of the two responses are shown below:

BRAC University

 Case Study

From a modest beginning almost thirty years ago, BRAC has today grown into one of the largest non-government development organizations in the world. It works in a number of closely related areas such as poverty alleviation, rural health care and non-formal education among many others to bring about socio-economic changes for a large number of our people, mostly women and children, whose lives are dominated by extreme poverty, illiteracy, disease and malnutrition.

In line with BRAC’s continued support to education as a force of change and development, BRAC University has been established to provide a high quality of education to meet the demands of the modern age. BRAC University is ‘not for profit’ institution accredited by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and approved by the Ministry of Education, Government of Bangladesh.

The university was established by BRAC in 2001 under the Private University Act 1992. BRAC University had its first convocation in January 2006. Sir FazleHasan Abed, KCMG is the current president of BRAC University. The university campus is located in Mohakhali C/A while the Residential Campus at Savar is called TARC (Training and Resource Center). Currently, it offers degrees in a wide range of topics, including Bachelor of Architecture (B. ARCH), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science (CS) and Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE), to name a few.

The goal of the university is to provide an excellent broad based education with a focus on professional development for students, in order to equip them with the knowledge and skill necessary for leading the country in its quest for development. Along with this, the university provides an environment for faculty development in order to ensure a dynamic teaching environment. The faculty members are provided with an environment in which they can further their teaching skills and contribute to the creation of new knowledge by developing and using their research skills.

The Honorable President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is the chancellor of BRAC University. The Governing Board is the highest policy-making body of BRAC University and is responsible for ensuring the highest level of education and administrative standard at BRAC University. Committees assist the Board in matters essential to the smooth functioning of the university: Academic Council, Course Committee, Finance Committee, Selection Committee, Audit Committee, Committee on Student Affairs, Disciplinary Committee, Committee on University Development and Committee on Medical Facilities. The vice chancellor is the chief executive and academic officer of the university. The academic wing consists of the deans of faculties/schools, chairpersons of the departments and faculty members.

The success factors of BRAC can be categorized as follows:

1. Since BRAC is a not-for-profit organization, the university focuses on upholding the pinnacle of quality rather than focusing on monetary gains. Therefore, students are ensured of quality education which is not sacrificed in the wake of money-making motives.
2. Students are required to spend one semester in the university’s residential campus in Savar, known as TARC. This helps build students mental strength and teamwork capabilities, and also hardens them for exposure to the corporate world.
3. High infrastructural and logistics support to the students, such as a state-of-the-art library and computer center aid in the students’ pursuit of knowledge.
4. The Architecture department of BRAC University is very well-known and is considered one of the very best for pursuing an education in architecture.

Analysis of student perceptions

The different factors relative to student perceptions have been judged. They are presented as follows:

Perception of the quality of education

The general perception among the students about the quality of education is average. Only a few of them thinks the BBA students think they are exposed to high quality educational methods. The standard is also hardly compared with that of any international university. To sum it up, the BBA students think there is a huge scope for improvement. Disha Oditiya thinks “BBA is not BRAC’s primary focus. Its strength is its architecture department and TARC”

When the architecture department was consulted, it was found that Brac is doing a lot better in this field than in the BBA department. However, as our scope does not include the architecture department, the results shown do not reflect the mind of any of the students of that faculty.

  Perception of faculty members

There is also a level of dissatisfaction about the teachers among the BBA students. The feeling resulted in a number of findings including the quality of the faculty members. And when this question was asked, we had a mixed answer. Most of them weekly agreed that they have good faculties, but others were confused.

In terms of the teaching content, the students feel teacher can do more. The content is not updated regularly. And as a result, the students feel they are well behind the market standard or even the standard of fellow private universities. “We don’t feel we are at par with the level of other business graduates” Said Shagufta, “My friends are in other universities and I feel BRAC is not teaching me as much as those universities are teaching them.”

Perception of coursework and examinations

One thing the students of BRAC are happy about is the use of research in their everyday curriculum. They feel their studying materials strongly focus on the researcher methods. This is, a surprising finding given that they have average teachers in their opinion. When asked about it, Rony said, “The coursework and the course outline didn’t change over time. But faculty members did. And this change was not good for BRAC.”

Exams and assignments do not carry much significant difference in the minds of the BRAC university students. Shagufta said, “It’s more like school, you know. In school we were given a fixed material and had memorize and put that on the exam script. It’s almost about the same in BRAC” The use of memorizing is something that hurts her and most of her fellow BRAC business graduates.

Perception of infrastructure

BRAC University students are certainly proud of the infrastructure they have. Not the building they have a as a university, but the Library, Computer center and most importantly TARC facility.

Most of the students feel the library is good in BRAC University. Also the fact that they it is within their building unlike most other universities make them feels even better. Rony stated that he always found quite up to date books and it was very helpful for all the researches he needed to conduct taking the helps of it.

Shagufta feels this is the second best thing in his university life, working in the library with friends. She feels this is one area where BRAC University can match the international standard. And as our survery indicates, many of the students surveyed echoed the same expression Rony and Shagufta had.

The library, in addition to the computer center, has a really good and positive image among the students.

The computer center is also performing well, as our survey indicates. Most of the students are highly satisfied with the current status of the center and feels that it should stay this way. The students are quite happy as most think all the computers function properly.

Most of them also agree to the fact that the center is always kept up to date with new technologies. The BRAC university computer center was recently used by a MIT run Project named iSchool to teach poor kids in Bangladesh through computer.

Perception of TARC

The positive perception about library and computer center is not enough to keep the students interested in any university. Despite the average faculty and the boring exams, there is always a positive energy among the students of the BRAC University. When asked about the source of it, Disha had only one word in answer, “TARC”. All the other students had the similar feeling. One thing that differentiated BRAC from any other university was its special program named TARC.

Though BRAC University’s main campus is located on Mohakhali C/A in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It has another campus at Savar in Dhaka, called TARC (Training and Resource Center). All students are required to complete a Residential Semester in the first year of their program. The first semester will be held at the downtown Dhaka campus (on Mohakhali) and one of the following two semesters (either the second or the third) will be a residential semester in Savar Campus. The purpose of the residential semester is to enhance students’ communication skills (especially in English), to foster a sense of community among the students, and to develop leadership qualities through various exercises and activities. BRAC University is the only university in Bangladesh to offer such a residential semester.

And as it can be guessed, the camp-like semester is highly popular and cherished among the students. Shagufta feels those were the best days of her life. Rony, being only in his first semester, is eagerly waiting for the opportunity to get in the big league by joining TARC.

East West University (EWU)

Case Study

The idea of establishing a private university to provide quality education at an affordable cost in Bangladesh was first mooted by a group of prominent academics, business leaders, professionals and education enthusiasts led by Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin. With this end in view, this group formed a non-profit, non-political, charitable organization called Progoti Foundation for Education and Development (PFED). East West University is its first major project. Members of the Board of Directors of the University are: Mr. Jalaluddin Ahmed, Mr. S.M. Nousher Ali, Mr. Farooque B. Chaudhury, Dr. Rafiqul Huda Chaudhury, Mr. Syed ManzurElahi, Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin, Mr. Mohammed ZahidulHaqueR.Ph., Dr. SaidurRahmanLasker, Dr. Muhammad A. Mannan, Professor M. Mosleh-Uddin, Mr. Shelley A. Mubdi, Mr. M.A. Mumin, Dr. Khalil Rahman, Mr. H.N. AshequrRahman and Mrs. RaziaSamad. After being accorded permission by the Government under the Private University Act (Act 34) of 1992, East West University was launched in 1996. Classes started in September 1996 with 6 faculty members and 20 students in the present campus located at 45, Mohakhali Commercial Area, Dhaka. Today there are over 187 faculty members and approximately 5000 students enrolled through a process of selection.

The primary mission of EWU is to provide, at a reasonable cost, tertiary education characterized by academic excellence in a range of subjects that are particularly relevant to current and anticipated societal needs. Central to the university’s mission is its intention to provide students with opportunities, resources and expertise to achieve academic, personal and career goals within a stimulating and supportive environment. EWU is striving not only to maintain high quality in both instruction and research, it is also rendering community service through dissemination of information, organization of training programs and other activities. Sensitive to the needs of its students and staff, EWU is committed to providing a humane, responsive and invigorating atmosphere for productive learning and innovative thinking.

Major reasons for the success of East West University:

• Strong collaboration with foreign universities: East West University has formal collaboration agreements with the following leading universities:
  • Pace University, New York, USA
  • Suffolk University, Boston, USA
  • Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, USA
  • University of Luton, Bedfordshire, England, UK
  • University of Fukui, Fukui City, Japan

EWU has also entered into collaboration agreements with a number of other well-known universities in the USA, UK and Australia.

• Diverse Club Activities:In order to enhance the extracurricular activities of the students East West Universityhas funded a wide range of clubs. Some of the successful clubs of the university:
  • Cine and Photography Club
  • Creative Marketing Club
  • Business Club
  • Environmental and Social Club
  • EWU Club for Performing Arts
  • Financial Analysis & Research Club
  • The English Conversation Club

Over the years, these ensure the students have amble opportunities to expand their knowledge base and gain valuable life skills.

• Strong Financial Aid: The mission of the university was to provide tertiary education at reasonable cost. Thus, it offers wide array of financial aid to its students such as:
  • Merit Based Aid: Granting of financial aid to deserving students on a need-cum-merit basis. Undergraduate applicants who have completed at least one-fourth of the total credit requirement of the program during the immediate past year with a minimum prescribed CGPA of 2.70 and with demonstrated financial need are offered financial assistance to cover part of the tuition fees.
  • Family Concession: When two siblings (brother/sister with the same parents) study simultaneously at East West University, the second sibling is entitled to a half-tuition waiver. However, both must be admitted full-time into regular programs. The benefit commences on the date of admission of the second sibling and ceases on the discontinuation of the study of any one of them, after his/her graduation or for any other reason. This benefit may extend up to the third sibling under the above-mentioned conditions. If either of the siblings maintains a minimum CGPA of 2.70, while the other maintains a minimum passing CGPA (2.00 for Undergraduate Programs, 2.50 for Graduate Programs, 2.30 for MA in English) the sibling benefit will be awarded and continued for the one who maintains the CGPA of 2.70.
  • The MedhaLalon Fund: In order to be able to extend further support towards nurturing merit, particularly to students of middle-class background, to female students, and to students from outside the metropolis, the Board of Directors ofEast West University set up in 2002 a scheme called the East West University MedhaLalon Fund with an initial endowment of Taka one and a half crore. The Board has also sanctioned an amount of Taka one crore thirty lakhs from the operating surplus of the university for the Fund. This is in addition to the disbursement each year on regular components such as the merit scholarships and financial aid.
  • Committed and Qualified Faculty Base: The university has the highest number of fulltime faculty members (119) among all private universities including 11 Professors, 9 Associate Professors, 25 Assistant Professors, 36 Senior Lecturers and 34 Lecturers. Among the 119 faculty members, 32 have Ph.D. degrees from renowned universities. Moreover, among the 94 adjunct faculty members, 52 have Ph.D. degree. The large pool of qualified faculties is a big competitive edge for the university.

Analysis of student perceptions

The different factors relative to student perceptions have been judged. They are presented as follows:

 Perception of the quality of education

East West University is lagging behind in the business education department. Despite the high grant and aid opportunities for students and the qualified faculties the university is lagging behind in the business sector.

The survey clearly reveals that the students are not content with the overall quality of education offered to the business students of East West University.

 Perception of the Faculty Members

Despite the low standard of the education at the university, there is a positive impression about the faculties in the university. On further probing in the survey, it was evident that the faculty pool is very strong. But, the lack of strict admission process has led to a weak base of students. This has largely contributed to the poor progress of the business department.

Perception of the Examinations 

As it was seen in the curriculum of the other universities, the examinations are largely memorization based. This seems to be a critical problem in the majority of the universities of Bangladesh. Students have hardly faced any case based examinations. They largely characterize the educational system as monotonous, lacking modern teaching systems. There were some minor instances, where the faculties adopted innovative teaching instruments and were viewed positively by the students.

Perception of the Assignments & Reports

The assignment and reports offered in the curriculum were theoretical and lacked the practical perspective. Students seldom recall participating in field work to obtain data, under research and analysis of data to compete the course requirements. Over the years, this has led to lower practical skills of the graduates. Despite the cooperation and feedback from the faculties, a theoretical based report system is unlikely to benefit the students.

Perception on the Infrastructure

The computer center was relatively modern and was adequate for the requirements of the students. However, the access to international journals was not available for the students. There was lack of printer and scanners available for use of students during peak requirements such as submission of reports. The students have a very negative perception about the low space available in the overall campus.

Finally, the library was poorly viewed by the students. However, the administration has taken steps recently to create a digital library which will greatly enhance the learning opportunity and thus the perception of the students about the library.

Perception on International Affiliation

East West University has formal collaboration agreements with the following leading universities:

• Pace University, New York, USA
• Suffolk University, Boston, USA
• Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, USA
• University of Luton, Bedfordshire, England, UK
• University of Fukui, Fukui City, Japan

EWU has also entered into collaboration agreements with a number of other well-known universities in the USA, UK and Australia.

Students thus have a very positive perception about the international affiliation. Moreover, students are actively involved in exchange programs and participation in international events and programs.

Perception on Club Activities

In order to enhance the extracurricular activities of the students East West Universityhas funded a wide range of clubs. Some of the successful clubs of the university:

• Cine and Photography Club
• Creative Marketing Club
• Business Club
• Environmental and Social Club
• EWU Club for Performing Arts
• Financial Analysis & Research Club
• The English Conversation Club

Over the years, these ensure the students have amble opportunities to expand their knowledge base and gain valuable life skills.

Perception on University Funding

The mission of the university was to provide tertiary education at reasonable cost. Thus, it offers wide array of financial aid to its students such as:

• Merit Based Aid: Granting of financial aid to deserving students on a need-cum-merit basis.
• Family Concession: When two siblings (brother/sister with the same parents) study simultaneously at East West University, the second sibling is entitled to a half-tuition waiver.
• The MedhaLalon Fund: In order to be able to extend further support towards nurturing merit, particularly to students of middle-class background, to female students, and to students from outside the metropolis, the Board of Directors ofEast West University set up in 2002 a scheme called the East West University MedhaLalon Fund with an initial endowment of Taka one and a half crore

 Perception on the placement office

The university has lacking in the alumni network and an effective placement office. These two play a vital role in ensuring proper link with the corporate world and job opportunity for the new graduates. As the survey reveals, East West University is poorly placed in both these aspects. The authority has decided to strengthen the alumni network, but no such benefits have been yet realized by the students.

Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB)

Case Study

Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) is a private university in Bangladesh. It has two campuses, one at Dhaka and other at Chittagong. Its main campus is in Bashundhara, Dhaka. The university was established in 1993 by the Private University Act, 1992 and the outreach campus in Chittagong was opened in 1999.

The University logo represents the philosophy on which the University is founded: the best of both worlds. The Blue Leaf represents the western tradition, Saffron Leaf the eastern. The Flame in the middle represents the synthesis of the eastern and western traditions and also conveys the idea of purity. The motto of the University “Teacheth Man That Which He knew Not” is taken from the fifth verse of Sura Alak of the Holy Quran.

Now boasting over 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students, IUB spans over 4 schools (School of Business, School of Engineering & Computer Science, School of Environmental Science & Management and School of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences).  IUB employs a total of 180 full time and 76 adjunct faculty members. Out of the full time faculty, approximately 44 have Ph.D. degrees from North America and Europe.

IUB has established collaborative arrangements in research, faculty and student exchange and curriculum development with a number of foreign universities and institutions including Harvard University in Cambridge Massachusetts and McMaster University in Canada. The University is also a member of a number of international academic associations such as the American Association of University Administrators and the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific.

Dr. Md. Zahidul Islam, Coordinator of Marketing, Management, & Human Resource Management at IUB, said that success factors of IUB depend on a few crucial elements:

1. Extensive research arrangements, which enable students to pursue research in their stated subjects and hence obtain further knowledge.
2. Hosting of several renowned competitions, particularly the Inter-University Research Proposal Writing Competition, which enhances credibility and encourage students to pursue extensive research after completion of education.
3. Membership of international academic associations, such as the American Association of University Administrators.
4. Qualified faculty members, most of whom have obtained degrees from reputed universities in North America.
5. Campus in Chittagong, which caters to meritorious students of the port city, who have no other viable option to choose from because of the lack of quality private universities there.

Analysis of student perceptions

The different factors relative to student perceptions have been judged. They are presented as follows:

 Perception of the quality of education

Overall, students tend to have quite a positive perception of the quality of education in IUB. 36% of respondents agreed – although weakly – that the quality of education at IUB is standard and up-to-par. This could be due attributed to IUB’s dedication to uphold extensive research as well as recruiting the proper teachers who are able to impart proper knowledge.

However, most students tend to disagree with the statement that the education level can be compared to international standards. 36% of the respondents were in moderate disagreement with the fact, stating that although the general level of education is acceptable by Bangladeshi standards, the curriculum needs overhauling before it can come on level with international standards. Respondents pointed out to the lack of exposure to international events as well as the weakness of IUB in such events as the main factors behind the fall in quality when compared with international universities.

The results of the respondents’ answers to these two questions are illustrated in the figures below:

Perception of faculty members

Most respondents agree that IUB has teachers who meet the standards demanded at the tertiary education level. IUB employs a total of 180 full time and 76 adjunct faculty members. Out of the full time faculty, approximately 44 have Ph.D. degrees from North America and Europe. Therefore, it is not surprising to hear of the level of quality of the teachers.

However, the teachers are apparently failing to communicate properly, leading to communication and knowledge gaps. When asked whether the faculty members provide proper counseling, 56% tended to strongly disagree, showing that although the faculty members possess the necessary knowledge and qualifications, there is a communication gap where imparting proper guidance is concerned. In addition, almost half – 48% – of respondents claim that the faculty members do not provide detailed feedback in the reports and assignments, which is so vital in order for self-improvement by means of constructive criticism.

The results of the two questions are shown below:

Perception of research

When it comes to the subject of research, students tend to have a more positive perception. For example, when asked whether the curriculum focuses on research methods, 44% tended to strongly agree, leading to the conclusion that IUB is more intent on research instead of a memorization-based approach when it comes to imparting knowledge.

Regarding the content of the assignments, 40% of the students claim that assignments require extensive research on journals. Therefore, the students claim that they are being tested of their practical knowledge and application skills, which is extremely important when it comes to the corporate world where exposure to real-life events are often more important than simply theoretical concepts taught within the classroom.

The results of the two questions are shown below:

 Perception of international affiliation

IUB is very well affiliated with international universities and there is ample scope for students to take part in international competitions, events and even exchange programs. IUB has established collaborative arrangements in research, faculty and student exchange and curriculum development with a number of foreign universities and institutions including Harvard University in Cambridge Massachusetts and McMaster University in Canada. The University is also a member of a number of international academic associations such as the American Association of University Administrators and the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific.

When asked whether the clubs are affiliated with international universities, 48% tended to agree with the statement. Apparently, there are often events co-hosted with clubs of foreign universities, such as debate competitions. In particular, the students pointed out the existence of AIESEC – an international student body that many students of IUBU take part in, which allows for greater interaction with people from all around the world. In addition, 48% of the respondents also agree that the computer server has access to online journals which facilitate research and wider knowledge pursuit.

The results of the respondents’ answers are shown below:

Perception of career placement

The IUB placement office still needs addressing when it comes to careers of students. More than half – or 56%, to be more specific – of students believe that the career placement office is ineffective in providing employment to students. The respondents pointed out that often they have to seek out jobs on their own because of the lack of efficacy of the placement office in securing jobs for the students upon graduation.

In addition, students believe that the lack of a strong alumni network is often the root cause of problems in securing jobs. Respondents point out that in places such as IBA, fresh graduates meet their alumni during interviews or in jobs and this works favorably on their part in landing those jobs because of known faces. However, since the alumni network in IUB is weak, securing jobs becomes harder – even more so considering the inefficacy of the placement office.

The results of the two questions are shown below:

Perception of infrastructure

IUB provides decent infrastructural support in order to facilitate the students’ pursuit of knowledge.  When asked about the state of the computer center, 36% responded that the computer center at IUB is quite good. An excellent computer center is a must in order to gain access to online sources of information as well as connect with remote sources of information in today’s world. In addition, well-equipped computers are required to complete assignments and reports within the university premises.

When asked about the state of the library at IUB, 25% agreed that the library books are not updated on a regular basis, thereby proving to be a thorn in the students’ research as well as pursuit of knowledge. Therefore, IUB needs to maintain its library in order to stay on top of the competition and empower its students.

The results of the two responses are shown below:

American International University of Bangladesh (AIUB)

Case Study

American International University-Bangladesh (Bengali: আমেরিকানইন্টারন্যাশনালইউনিভার্সিটি-বাংলাদেশ) (AIUB) is a private research university located at Banani in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was established in 1994 by Dr. AnwarulAbedin under the Private University Act, 1992. The university is an independent organization with its own Board of Trustees. It offers several degree programs at graduate and undergraduate level from its four faculties. The university has over 9,000 students with over 280 full-time faculty members. In January 2011, Webometrics ranked this university 2nd among private universities and 4th among all Universities in Bangladesh in their Ranking Web of World University list.[2]

Vision

American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) envisions promoting professionals and excellent leadership catering to the technological progress and development needs of the country.

Mission

American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) is committed to provide quality and excellent computer-based academic programs responsive to the emerging challenges of the time. It is dedicated to nurture and produce competent world class professional imbued with strong sense of ethical values ready to face the competitive world of arts, business, science, social science and technology.

Goals

• Sustain development and progress of the university
• Continue to upgrade educational services and facilities responsive of the demands for change and needs of the society
• Inculcate professional culture among management, faculty and personnel in the attainment of the institution’s vision, mission and goals
• Enhance research consciousness in discovering new dimensions for curriculum development and enrichment
• Implement meaningful and relevant community outreach programs reflective of the available resources and expertise of the university
• Establish strong networking of programs, sharing of resources and expertise with local and international educational institutions and organizations
• Accelerate the participation of alumni, students and professionals in the implementation of educational programs and development of projects designed to expand and improve global academic standards

AIUB is Distinction in Leadership. Right from its day one, AIUB has stood for quality, commitment and integrity as far as this country’s higher education is concerned. The journey has never been silk-smooth, and will not be either in the coming days- but AIUB, with all its administrators, teachers and students, is resolved to uphold the spirit it has aimed to change this society towards betterment and to create the venue that would bring that change! AIUB lives for Bangladesh.

AIUB therefore lives for excellence in leadership.AIUB provides several facilities to the students. A few facilities are given below so that a student can choose the right way.

There are some factors which led to the success of AIUB. They are-

Library Facility: The library of AIUB is the collection of the knowledge and built up a balanced and rich collection in Business Administration, Science and Technology, Computer and Social Science. It is an open library system to students of AIUB, which provides rich collection of books including journals, newsletter, thesis works and CDs. Students can borrow any books and CDs from the library for 2 days except the textbook. At present the library has more than 29,231 books, 132 online journals. Among them are 78 Business, 29 Mathematics and 25 Statistics Journals. Other Journals, magazines and periodicals are also available there. AIUB library has 912 video CDs, covering more than 80 academic areas. The library can accommodate more than 525 students at a time. AIUB library has “AIUB Library System” the software which has been created by university IT department and now the system is operational i.e., students are now getting the modern facilities.

Co-curricular activities:
Outside the academic arena, AIUB thrives for brilliance in numerous co-curricular activities. Some of the activities undertaken in the previous years are the AIUB Inter-University Programming Contest, Inter-School & Inter-University Debate Competition, Business Plan competition, AIUB Cup Cricket, Study Tours to India and Singapore, Job Fair, Round Table Discussion on the theme: The Nursing Profession in Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities, Lecture Series  in honor of the Founder Chairman Dr. Anwarul Abedin highlighting distinguished speakers in the field of business and socio-cultural development. Seminar on Small Enterprise and other professional development activities were also undertaken. Student clubs are-

Analysis of student perceptions

The different factors relative to student perceptions have been judged. They are presented as follows:

Perception of the quality of education

The general student mass feels there is room for improvement when it comes to the quality of education provided in AIUB. Though a good percentage of them agreed to the fact that the quality is excellent, most of them half-heartedly answered in such way. When asked personally, Anik Haque (a student of BBA in AIUB) said, “We know BBA here is as good as it gets. But still there is always some dissatisfaction regarding one or two courses”.

It was also investigated if the students feel the quality is as good as international universities. The result this time was shifting towards the negative part of the graph. When asked such a question, Anik firmly answered that with a no.

Perception of faculty members 

Regarding the faculty members, none of the students seem to be highly satisfied or dissatisfied; which is at the same time good and bad. Good because there is not much element of negative feelings about the instructors. But bad because none of the students take their instructors as their idols or think the teachers can be someone to follow.

In terms of teaching methods, the students are moderately happy with the methods used. The students generally find the methods quite engaging but they feel that teachers need to update their contents regularly.

Perception of coursework and examinations

Students are never happy when it comes to course works, assignments and most importantly examinations. AIUB students are no different. Sometimes they are unhappy because the content of the curriculum is not up to the mark, and sometimes because it is too tough to grasp.

The curriculum of BBA is more or less same for all the students across all the universities. Anik Haque also supported this fact by stating, “I often take old books used by my friends from North South University.” However, like most others, Anik feels the curriculum should look more deeply into research topics. He feels it is important for any business graduate to understand the methods applied in research activities. In this aspect Anik, like most others, feel AIUB can bring in some changes.

In the field of reports and assignments, the students agree that the current tradition is to rely more on field work than on journals. Students does not feel bad about the minimum use of journals in their assignments as they feel field works are of much more importance and can provide them with a better learning experience.

Examination is the pseudonym of nightmare to any student. Though they like the fact that teachers nowadays are using internation cases pretty ocassionaly in exams, they are still highly dissatisfied with the fact that exams are still primarily based on memorizing. FamiraNahin, another student of AIUB, feels “Memorizing for exams when we were younger made little sense, but still that was acceptable. But now as our career depends primarily on the understanding of the facts presented in the courses,  resorting to those memorizing techniques feel like cheating.” Most of the students feel the same way as our survey indicated similar results.

Perception of infrastructure

AIUB students are particularly proud of their infrastructure support. Not their campus, but their library and computer center. The library and computer center is often taken as the strengths of the university. The computer center in particular is considered to be one of the best in the country.

The library is a matter of pride for the students of the university. FamiraNahin was particularly pleased when asked to talk about the library. “Whenever we need any secondary research, we know where to go. And I cannot remember a single time I got back from the library without any substantial help.”

In her opinion, and also in most of her fellow AIUB-goers opinion, the library is of international quality. They feel this is one sector that hardly needs any improvement.

In terms of updating the database, AIUB library also has a positive reputation. The students agreed to the fact that AIUB has a very updated library. Students like Anik have only one wish in this respect” Let’s hope it stays that way.”

The computer center is also equally popular. Not only all the computers are in functioning order, but also they are always kept up to date. All the software is updated regularly. Famira finds the center highly comfortable,” sometimes we stay late and keep working in the comfortable air conditioned computer center as it is an excellent working hub”

Like Famira and Anik, most of the respondents are highly satisfied with their computer center. In fact this is the only question group asked to them which yielded no negative answer. As we can see from the results, none of them disagreed when asked of positive things about the computer center.

Conclusion

Recommended Strategy

Therefore, it can be deduced that most universities are successful due to some common reasons, namely academically sound teachers, rigorous admission procedures and sound infrastructural support, such as up-to-date library and computer center facilities. However, at the same time, most universities suffer from some common issues which need to be addressed, such as lack of a practical research-based curriculum as well as innovate and updated teaching methods.

The ideal university needs to absorb multiple elements in order to garner the necessary credit and reputation. Universities are the last medium between the student and the job; therefore it is crucial that the university provide the student with all the necessary skills and knowledge that the latter needs in order to tackle his/her career head-on with the right amount of confidence. The ideal university needs to stimulate the thirst for knowledge as well as provide it through a two-way process that incorporates students and teachers as well as other concerned parties such as corporate houses, which play major roles through hosting events and competitions.

Therefore, based on the shortcomings as well as success factors of the universities in the research report, a successful university needs to incorporate all these existing success factors as well as address all the shortcomings plaguing the current tertiary institutions. Therefore, the perfect model is illustrated below:

References