Private Sector Higher Education Policy Issues:Bangladesh Perspective

Private initiative in higher education has become a global phenomenon. (Boom)The 1990,s saw a major turn in the history of contemporary Higher Education inBangladesh by observing the evolution of non state universities. Bangladesh was oneof the few developing country consider the option of non state private university inthe 1990s and in 1992s the door was open for a new system of private sector highereducation in Bangladesh. At the time of independence71 Bangladesh has six (6)public universities with in a short period of 5-10 years around 54 private universitieswere established exceeding the number ofpublic universities (31). It becomes a newphenomenon for Bangladesh.Market economy, Globalization encourages private entrepreneurs. Mass expectationand huge demand from the society both market and govemment has stepped forward.The study focuses on the growth and expansion of private sector higher education,nature ofprivate university, performance ofpublic and private universities sub sector,present policy scenario and policy challenges in Bangladesh. From 2007 governmenthas been trying to formulate a law on private university and at present practicallythere is no higher education policy, especially Private Sector Higher EducationPolicy in Bangladesh A critical minimum role of the state is necessary to ensurequality of education, transparency and accountability of the privately-organizedhigher education providers.The study is identifying the Potentials of this sector and relevant policy options forsustainable development ofprivate sector higher education in Bangladesh.