Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud speaks at a seminar titled "Global Standards in Higher Education: What Bangladesh Can Do" at Pan Pacific

Education Adviser Prof Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud has raised concerns about severe corruption in teacher recruitment at all levels of education, particularly in universities, pushing higher education institutions to the brink of collapse.

Speaking at a seminar titled "Global Standards in Higher Education: What Bangladesh Can Do" at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka on Sunday (December 22), Wahiduddin Mahmud highlighted that while universities face numerous challenges, many faculty members still possess international-standard research capabilities. However, their contributions remain overshadowed by the dominance of political discourse within universities.

The seminar was part of the "First Bangladesh Higher Education Conference 2024" organised by the Banik Barta.

Wahiduddin Mahmud expressed alarm over the increasing number of educated unemployed in the country, attributing this trend to a deteriorating higher education environment. He identified teacher recruitment corruption, political favoritism, and exploitation of student politics as key factors contributing to this decline.

"Educational institutions have been systematically weakened over time. Teachers engage in political discussions instead of research. This is a major concern we need to address," he said.

Despite the challenges, Wahiduddin Mahmud acknowledged that many talented educators continue to contribute to research and education. However, their work often goes unnoticed due to the politicized atmosphere in universities.

"We must investigate why talented teachers are being sidelined or hindered. It is critical to understand how this situation was created," he said.

Referring to the aftermath of recent movements, Wahiduddin Mahmud noted that nearly all public universities are currently without key leaders. "No vice-chancellors or treasurers could be found, which reflects the extent of political partisanship in recruitment. A change in government led to the mass departure of appointees," he said.

The adviser emphasised the urgent need for systemic reform in higher education, prioritizing merit-based recruitment and reducing political interference. He called for a shift in focus from politics to research and quality education to ensure universities regain their purpose and prestige.

"To align with global standards and secure the future of higher education in Bangladesh, we must tackle these deeply rooted issues," he concluded.