Despite encouraging classes, the University Grants Commission (UGC) instructed private universities to immediately suspend online exams, assessments and student admissions in the first week of April. But this time the regulator is going to move away from that decision. The Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has given the opportunity to online examinations and admissions to private universities so that higher education is not harmed due to the situation caused by coronavirus.

The commission is going to pave the way for private universities to launch all kinds of educational activities online in the face of the demands of the Private University Association, an organization of entrepreneurs of private universities.

A directive will be issued soon to outline the process by which private universities will conduct online education activities. The UGC will publish guidelines in this regard next week.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting of UGC, public university and private university authorities with Education Minister Dipu Moni via video conference on Thursday.

Besides Deputy Minister for Education Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury Nawfel and UGC Chairman Prof Kazi Shahidullah, President of Private University Association Sheikh Kabir Hossain was also present at the video meeting.

The meeting also discussed measures to reduce session congestion in public universities through the Academic Council after the outbreak of coronavirus, taking classes on weekly leave.