DHAKA: The Education Ministry gave private universities three weeks to fit in the stricter terms and conditions set by the government that ask for closing down outer campuses and stopping ‘education business’.

“The universities which did not fulfill the criteria set by the government have been ordered to submit a report within three weeks on how they can do it," Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said Wednesday following a meeting on private universities.  

Some 46 of the 52 private universities of the country have reportedly failed to meet the criteria as per the policy of the government.

The minister further told journalists that Accreditation Council would be formed for monitoring overall function of the private universities.

"The universities have to be shifted in phases from Dhanmondi residential area as per the new law and outer campuses also have to be closed," he said.

He also informed that a decision was taken in the meeting to reform the ill-performing University Grants Commission in order to stop “education business”.     

Replying to a question, he said the government would take fit legal actions, including filing case, if any evidence of grooming militancy was found in any private university.  

Education Secretary Syed Ataur Rahman, Acting Home Secretary Yunusur Rahman and Chairman of the UGC Professor Nazrul Islam were among others present at the meeting.

BDST: 1551 HRS, AUGUST 18, 2010