The proposed Bangladesh Higher Education Commission will submit its reports to the President, which will then be placed before the National Parliament.

Under the proposal, the commission will publish university rankings every three years and will have the authority to inspect universities, demand financial records, carry out evaluations, and take action when necessary. It will also be able to launch investigations on its own initiative in cases of alleged irregularities or corruption.

Many educationists have described the move to establish a Higher Education Commission as timely and necessary. They argue that while higher education in Bangladesh has expanded rapidly over the past five decades, the oversight framework has not kept pace. As a result, there has long been a need for a more powerful and responsible body to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Experts believe the new commission could strengthen quality assurance, research supervision, and budget coordination. Initiatives such as regular university rankings, evaluation of research projects, and special monitoring of weaker institutions could help improve overall standards.

However, they also emphasise the need for transparency and accountability. Dhaka University’s Institute of Education and Research professor SM Hafizur Rahman told Prothom Alo that the UGC currently lacks sufficient manpower and operational independence. He added that while a stronger commission would be positive, ensuring accountability and transparency would be essential for its success.