Uttara University aims to set benchmark in research-led, student-centric education.

Abstract

Your tagline says, Excellence in Higher Education and Research. Is this something you really practice at Uttara University or is it just a saying? As one of the founders of this university, I feel super committed to this tagline which we have created, because it represents our ultimate goal, one that we have worked toward for years to achieve. My gratitude goes to our teachers and students who have been relentlessly supporting us to turn it into a reality. Since Uttara University's inception, we have patronized every initiative that focuses on research. We are always prepared to invest and ready to provide any support required; be it financial, time, or training that may expedite research works. We have a fully operational Center for Research and Training (CRT), through which we are producing Scopus indexed journals every year. The CRT at Uttara University has been consistently launching publications, training, and workshops. In addition, our teachers regularly attend international seminars to present their research and publications. Our Office of International Affairs is actively partnering with universities overseas, thereby contributing to the advancement of higher education and research. When it comes to student-centred teaching, how is Uttara University's approach to modernising higher education? See, I am an academician myself with decades of experience in pedagogy. Our entire faculty is deeply committed to creating a student-centric educational environment. That's why at Uttara University, our core culture is student-centric education as a curriculum where students' well being is highly prioritized. Our class techniques, curriculum is continuously reviewed, and we have already integrated AI into our course offerings, one of the ways we are enhancing our students' adaptability to a rapidly changing world. Students' well-being remains a top priority at Uttara University. In addition to training our teachers at the beginning of every semester, we ensure that our students have access to professional mental health counseling on campus. We have three dedicated psychological counselors to support our students, and we take mental health issues with the utmost seriousness. How does Uttara University ensure that its education system develops skilled global graduates with strong ethical and social values? We are a knowledge-generating institution, and we cannot think beyond ethics and norms. By higher education and research, we mean impact-based knowledge generation that leaves ethical and sustainable footprints on society. Our course curriculum is designed in light of the Sustainable Development Goals. We are constantly striving to make Uttara University an effectively accountable institution that believes in strong partnerships with institutions of diverse interests. Our administrative system is uniquely designed with justice, equity, ethics, and solidarity at its core. We aspire to achieve global benchmarks, and our teams; both faculty members and administrators, are dedicatedly working toward this goal. As the cultivation of these values is a daily practice at Uttara University, they are naturally instilled in our students as well. Do you have any initiative to keep your faculties up to date and sharpen them continuously so that Uttara University can align its academic programs with ever-changing national and global education standards? I believe I have mentioned this earlier as well. Uttara University has a dedicated Institutional Quality Assurance Cell that regularly launches new training opportunities for teachers and administrators. In addition to this, we always encourage our administrators and faculty members to seek high-quality training programs elsewhere, and they are granted leave to participate in such professional development activities. How is Uttara University contributing to the overall improvement of private university education in Bangladesh? Firstly, our curriculum plays a central role. We believe in research-driven knowledge generation, and our curriculum is frequently updated to align with evolving global demands. Alongside academic rigor, our students are nurtured to enhance their adaptability through leadership-oriented training. Secondly, we foster a truly student-centric environment. Our teachers and administrators receive regular training to become more student-focused than ever before. We have cultivated a culture where students can express themselves without fear and are encouraged to question systems and ideas. Accountability to our students remains a core institutional value. Thirdly, our operational framework sets us apart. Our administrative practices are firmly guided by empathy, solidarity, and equity. These principles shape how we function as an institution and how we serve our academic community. Through these commitments, Uttara University is poised to set a benchmark for private higher education institutions across the country. While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.