People in Bangladesh often pursue higher studies irrespective of their future aspirations. Some sectors do not require a graduation rather requires experience and training.
However, in the name of societal norms people try to obtain a degree, but that requires money and not everyone has family who can support them financially.
According to the University Grants Commission’s annual report, 4,131,610 students studied at 50 public universities and 310,107 students at 108 private universities in 2023.
Many of them have to bear their own education along with living expenses and with rising inflation rates they are often forced to do multiple part-time jobs.
Universities can play a huge role in lessening that burden.
Providing on-campus employment opportunities can be beneficial for the students. This can range from job or business opportunities that are flexible and cater to students’ schedules.
Additionally, inviting local and multinational brands through partnerships or career events can be a great way for helping students land jobs, internships and connecting with professionals.
In order to prepare for jobs and be knowledgeable in academics, students need proper modification of libraries, administrative offices, research labs, skill development centres, counselling wings, etc. relevant to the students’ fields of study.
These have the power to change the job accommodation facility for the students. These resourceful parts of a university can provide information and assistance on time management, job search strategies, and financial planning tailored to working students.
Also, an active counselling wing can help students manage stress and balance their academic and work responsibilities.
Moreover, academic advisors can guide them on course loads and graduation timelines so that students can find the middle-ground between work and study. All of these will allow students to gain insightful work experiences while earning money.
University faculties and staff have to be au fait and compassionate about the situations of the part-time worker students.
In recent times, receiving these supports and facing no difficulties are considered blessings as these are quite infrequent.
Therefore, it is high time the universities ensured the equilibrium in the demands and supply of student acquaintance with a favourable environment.
The best they can do is manage flexible class schedules, including evening and weekend classes, and provide a variety of course formats, such as online, hybrid, or condensed classes, etc. to accommodate students’ work commitments.
Our country has a working student population with high potential, and they will bloom if an atmosphere of association and empathy is ensured.
Moreover, encouraging partnerships with local organisations, and NGOs can be fruitful to build an emergency assistance programmes fund from which the needy students will be able to get monetary support along with other stipends and financial grants.
Alumni assistance always plays an exemplary role in their universities. Thus, creating intra and inter-university peer support networks where the students can share their experiences and advice can be a key initiative.
Launching peer mentoring programmes through different departments, clubs and faculties or centrally, can be extremely beneficial for connecting working students with those who have successfully navigated similar challenges.
An unspoken dimension of this problem is the marginalisation of students who have children. Providing affordable and accessible childcare services on or near campus can simplify lives of the students who are parents.
Such initiatives can make it easier for them to attend classes and coordinate their work and home. We must safeguard our devoted student force against any kind of verbal and mental discrimination about their parenthood, lost years, background, and personal tragedies.
Concerning all these, universities must advocate for enforcing student-friendly policies and practices at the institutional and governmental levels that aid working students.
Also, the duty of advancement not only implies on authorities but also on us. I am a firm believer in that day when all our should, musts, and cans will turn into acknowledgments of did, done and progressed!
It is important to remember that our new generations and the kingpins of the nation are in the making. Buttressing them up to the apex can only bring prosperity, for the individuals and the nation as a whole.