Free thought essential for univ students, teachers: UGC chair

University students and teachers should have opportunities to engage in free thought and express their views, but such freedom must be exercised responsibly, said University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed on Thursday.

He made the remarks while addressing a reception for freshers of East West University’s 2026 academic session and a programme marking the Nazrul Year.

“Universities must provide an environment for free speech, knowledge-building and expression of opinions. But freedom of thought and expression must go hand in hand with responsibility,” he said.

The UGC chairman urged universities to foster an academic culture where intellectual freedom, knowledge-building and responsible expression can flourish.

He said academic results alone could not ensure success. Hard work, perseverance, commitment and participation in extracurricular activities are also essential for students’ personal and professional development, he added.

He said access to higher education has expanded significantly, but ensuring quality graduates remains a major challenge.

University education is not adequately aligned with the job market and real-life demands in many cases, and education must be linked more closely with life and the workplace, he added.

Describing Bangladesh’s people as its greatest asset, he stressed the need for investment in quality education and skills development to expand employment opportunities at home and abroad.

He said the UGC wants to support private universities rather than merely regulate them and will assess research proposals on merit, regardless of an institution’s public or private status.

The UGC is working to reduce VAT on private universities, with the savings expected to support faculty development, research, scholarships and student welfare, he added.