SAARC UGC chiefs recommend 15-yr edn for bachelor's degree

They suggested that the minimum timeframe for acquiring a bachelor degree except professional one should be 12 plus three years in the SAARC member-states.

Bangladesh UGC Chairman Prof M Asaduzzaman, who chaired the closing session at Hotel Purbani, told BSS that the meeting had recommended inclusion of a chapter on the SAARC in the secondary level curricula.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The meeting also recommended that the degrees awarded by the chartered universities of the SAARC countries be recognised by all member countries on the basis of number of years studied, grades and credits obtained, he said.

It viewed that the focal point in the SAARC member-states should be the UGCs or equivalent bodies for effective implementation of the revised schemes of SAARC chairs, fellowships and scholarships.

The meeting also encouraged the member states to announce expeditiously but not later than March 2004 their offers for the chairs, fellowships and scholarships under the revised scheme.

The meeting sources said the UGC chiefs emphasised that the medium of education at the higher level should be English to facilitate mutual recognition of degrees.

With a view to enhancing cooperation among the member states in the field of education, the meeting suggested introduction of exchange programmes of officials of UGCs or equivalent bodies.

The commendations will be placed in the 12th SAARC summit scheduled to be held in Pakistan in January 2004, sources said.

The meeting also decided to hold the next meeting of the UGCs of equivalent bodies in Islamabad before June 2004.

Member of Bangladesh UGC Prof. Monirul Hoque, Prof. KM Mohsin and Prof. Mahfuzul Hoq, Director of Adult and Higher Education Division of Education Ministry of Bhutan Nim Dem, Chairman of Nepal UGC Prof. Bidur Prasad Upadhyaya, Member of Higher Education Commission (Academic) of Pakistan Dr. AQ Mughal and Director of SAARC Secretariat Amjad Hussain B. Sial attended the meeting.