The University Campus (UC) is an organization which works for the development of education and youth of Bangladesh. It started functioning in 1984 with the joint efforts of teachers, students and intellectuals who were committed to develop qualitative education in Bangladesh. Since then it has been publishing "The University Campus", a news-magazine on education and youth development. For the last 20 years, it is the only regular newspaper exclusively on education and youth development in Bangladesh.
UC is devoted to motivate qualitative and modern education by identifying relevant problems and possible solution. At the same time, it helps the students directly to develop their educational and cultural quality. It also nourishes patriotism among the people, specially the young generation. Different activities of UC are meant to help building up cultured and well-educated people who will work for the development of Bangladesh. UC works as a bridge among students, policy-makers and employers. It organizes open dialogue on various education & society-related controversial issues where the policy-makers and different stakeholders freely exchange views to reach a meaningful solution.
As UC is committed to build up an enlightened nation, it has taken up a widespread social awareness program. Under this program it prints and distributes posters, stickers, desk slips, leaflets, calendar etc. containing valuable messages throughout the country. UC also takes special disaster management program to help the distressed people of the country. In addition to full-time regular jobs, UC offers part-time jobs in journalism, specially for the students, so that they can earn their study-cost as well as can learn how to make report on a topic thereby becoming self-reliant & self developed. UC has multipurpose-training program to train the young generation on various practical skills.
The projects of the University Campus are as follows:
- UC News Magazine:
The University Campus is the only regular paper on education and youth development in Bangladesh, which has been regularly published since 1984 with the collaboration of students, teachers and intellectuals. The principal aim of this publication is to overcome the derangement and decay of the education system of Bangladesh and mainly to ensure the development of a terrorism-free society and disciplined educational institutions by identifying academic and administrative weakness of those institutions on various issues.
If you wish to publish news on your educational institutions & views regarding education, you can contact our publication section. To get this paper regularly by post, you may become a member of University Campus Reader's Forum.
Web-portal on Education & Daily Needs: This project is a unique initiative of the University Campus which aims to serve people by providing them with a vast range of information on education and daily needs. This is a huge searchable web-portal (www.universitycampus.org), where the browsers can find various information to satisfy their queries on education sector of home & abroad and also the information one needs to have a smooth daily life. This portal is divided into three major categories viz.:- A) Education Chapter: which includes Database on Educational institutions of Bangladesh, Everything on Education, Essentials for Teachers & Students etc.; B) Daily Needs (Multi -Sector Databases to meet information-needs of Daily Life); C) Other important options like jobs, online survey, open discussion and so on.
Campus IT & Free Computer Training: We are going to establish a unique computer center for computer literacy. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the most vital sector in the present world. That's why we have taken up a strong initiative in this regard to help the people, specially young generation. We are proud to say that already we have started Free Computer Training for the meritorious and insolvent people. For this program we have got the permission from Government (Technical Education Board).
UC Information Centre: UC information centre is dedicated to serve people by collecting, storing and disseminating various information on education. In future the collected education-data will be disseminated in the form of CD. Also we have plan to publish 'Database Encyclopedia' on education sector under the project of UC Information Centre.
UC Dialogue Platform: UC has a permanent Dialogue Platform to hold seminars, symposia and open dialogue on educational, social, cultural, IT-related or other sensational and important issues. In this open discussion the policy-makers and different stakeholders can freely exchange views to reach a meaningful solution. The main objective of this Dialogue Platform is to create a situation where the people from all walks of life can participate and speak freely on a relevant issue.
Campus Library: Campus Library is one of the sister projects of University Campus. In the light of long experience in printing and publication as well as youth development activities, The University Campus felt that there is no alternative to a library to spread knowledge among people in a larger extent. Specially in the remote areas where internet and other publication sources are not available, library is the most important and effective source of acquiring knowledge in a broader sense. Thus with the aim of developing a knowledge-oriented nation the project of Campus Library was initiated. At the moment, we have one library in Dhaka under this project, which contains books of various subjects-academic, political, novels, history & culture, research works, journals etc. We have a plan to establish one branch of our library in each district of Bangladesh. Visit Campus library on any office day. Be a member of the Campus Library & enjoy a vast collection of books. We are taking initiative to start a Mobile Library and in this respect we are communicating with book-loving sponsors.
UC Research Centre: The university campus research centre (UCRC) aims at taking research initiatives mainly in the field of education and youth development. Since its emergence in 1984, the University Campus has closely been monitoring the education sector of Bangladesh and documenting various news on problems and prospects of this sector. In due course it has also developed a wide network of information and exchange of views with renowned educationists, educational administrators and policy-makers. We have formed the UCRC to conduct independent research on burning issues regarding education sector and youth development of Bangladesh. Our research cell consists of several renowned educationists and researchers as well as a group of meritorious and energetic young researchers. The research projects which we are going to start soon are-
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a) Problems and prospects of private universities in Bangladesh.
b) Alternative education system in Bangladesh, the Coaching centers.
c) Drop out of students at different levels of education in Bangladesh-a socio-economic analysis.
d) IT education in Bangladesh – problems and prospects of taking it to the poor.
e) Creating public awareness on proper functioning of Banks.
f) Comparing the quality of NGO funded and public funded rural primary schools.
Our research team includes-
Prof. Dr. M Habibullah; Prof. Md. Siraj Uddin; Dr. Abdul Hye Mondal; Mr. Shah Nazmul Alam; Principal Naziruddin Ahmed; Dr. Md. Abdur Razzaque; Dr. Nigar Nargis; Economist Nazneen Ahmed; Economist Shariff M. Hossain; Engr. Istiaq Ahmed & others.
Most of our researchers possess high educational background and degrees from well-known universities of the world. We welcome research grants to initiate research on special topics relating to private and public organizations.
Social Awareness Program: University Campus Family not only concentrates on the educational institutes and development of the young generation, but is also working on a people-awareness program. By publishing various kinds of stickers, desk slips, leaflets, calendar, posters, banners, festoons etc. it's trying to build up a positive social attitude. A section of our young people commit crimes, take drugs, smoke and misbehave with elderly people. They sometimes forget their responsibility to the nation. In this context some of our slogans are as follows-
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Do no evil, Speak no evil, Hear no evil.
What you do today, determines where you will be tomorrow.
To be important is nice, but to be nice is very important.
Do to others, what you like others to do to you.
There is only one good, 'knowledge' and one evil, 'ignorance'.
Smoke-free office and classroom are safe and healthy.
We want the educational campus free from terrorism; we want guarantee of normal death.
Police is your friend; help him to control, to uphold the rule of law.
All charming words have been told, but so many noble deeds are yet to be done.
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Millions of printed copies containing such different types of valuable messages both in english and
bengali are being distributed by the UC workers throughout the country including govt. and non-govt. offices.
We are always publishing our yearly calendar, which has got a lot of messages to develop social awareness. We are working to inspire the society to develop every person as a patriot. We are trying to arouse responsibility to help the nation prosper. We keep a close look to the young generation to help them building a prosperous life.
By making feature, documentary film and short film, we have a plan to create public awareness about the subjects of education, health & sanitation, acid violence, human rights, cruelty to women or children and other socio-cultural & economic problems.
Education Development Fund: University Campus Education Development Fund is planned -
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a) To help meritorious poor students failing to receive fund from others to
support their study.
b) To highlight and honour those quiet and publicity-averse people, who are working for development of quality education. Even good quality educational institutes will be honoured.
c) To honour the scholars for their rare contribution on academic issues.
UC Health Service: A healthy nation can take part efficiently in the development initiatives of a country. To generate health awareness among people, UC is operating its health service project whereunder it has launched the Computer Meridian Diagnostics (CMD). This is a diagnostic system that gives analysis of the present state of a person's health through taking readings painlessly from skin and finger tips. This is the most modern way of diagnosis and thereby taking preventive health care measures. Moreover in order to popularize herbal food, medicine & food supplements as substitutes of chemical medicine, UC health service is conducting various herbal awareness activities.
UC Disaster Management Action: Bangladesh is a country of natural calamities. The University Campus people are always ready to help the distressed people affected by flood, cyclone etc.
UC Cultural Team: When the society is engulfed with crime, leaders lose their human values, country falls into corruption and administration fails to control the deteriorating situation, movement of cultural activities could provide a guideline to the nation. We believe, the cultural activities are not only for recreation but also can create awareness against unruly activities, unethical behaviour etc.
Poems, meaningful songs and music, humanitarian literature etc. can work as a weapon against the aforesaid undesirable activities.
In this context, we sponsor a cultural movement by which we can uphold our cultural heritage at home and abroad.
University Printing & Publications(UPP): As ‘Printing is the mother of civilization’, we train the youths and students in printing and publication. This type of training helps the students to accomplish all the related activities in this field. We have a program to publish those books which can help overcome social backwardness and lead to a dynamic development of the country and the society. So we undertook this project with the following aims -
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- a) To make students familiar with different activities of printing and publication.
b) To equip students with skills of printing and publication work, so that they can earn while learning.
c) To publish those books which can help overcome social backwardness and lead to a dynamic development of the country and the society.
d) To publish the writings of those new scholar-writers who have not been appreciated by other publishers for commercial reasons.
e) To publish our news magazine, The University Campus.
UC Reader's Forum: The learned readers and well-wishers initiated The University Campus Readers’ Forum. A member of this forum -
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- a) can receive the U C news magazine regularly by mail;
b) will be informed of and invited to different social and cultural activities of this organization;
c) new members will get their names and addresses published in a column in every issue of the magazine;
d) will get the facility of publishing personal and non-commercial advertisement at 50% less than the normal rate in a particular column of the magazine.
If someone is interested to become a member of this forum, he/she has to send the signed up membership form to our office and remain aware of the latest news on education.
Important programmes of the recent past
Almost everyday some program is held at the Dialogue Platform of the University Campus. It may be a seminar, symposium, open dialogue or just a tea-party. Following are some of the recent important events:
a) Inauguration of Web Site: On 19th May, 2002 UC was able to open the Website (www.universitycampus.org) to share its goal and vision with the rest of the world. On that day the Education Minister of Bangladesh Govt. Dr. M. Osman Faruque said, 'by opening this Website, University Campus has shown their dynamic & progressive thinking about the educational development of Bangladesh'. He congratulated the University Campus family for doing this noble job.
b) Dialogue on Non-Government Universities of Bangladesh (Problems & Prospects): A seminar was held on 1st Oct. '02 in the University Campus office on the problems and prospects of non-government universities. The Education Minister Dr. M. Osman Faruque was the chief guest. Eminent educationists, Vice-Chancellors, Treasurers and Registrars of different universities were present in the seminar.
c) Seminar on Coaching Education: On 29th Oct. '02, a seminar was arranged at the auspices of the University Campus on Coaching Education in Bangladesh. State Minister for education, A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon was the chief speaker. Eminent educationists, Vice-Chancellors, College-Principals, Directors of coaching centres and educational entrepreneurs were the participants in the seminar where the Editor of The University Campus Mr. M Helal played the role of moderator.
d) Inauguration of Web-database on Banks & Financial Institutions: On 22January `04, President of Bangladesh Association of Banks and former advisor of Caretaker Govt. Syed Manjoor Elahi inaugurated the Web-database on Banks & Financial Institutions (www.universitycampus.org/Bank_Fin.html) in the UC Auditorium.
e) Inauguration of Web-database on Real Estate & Housing: On 14 February `04, State Minister for Housing & Public Works Mr. Alamgir Kabir inaugurated the Database-web on Real Estate & Housing (www.universitycampus.org/housing.html) in the UC Auditorium.
f) Inaguration of Web-database on Insurance: On 31 March `04, Commerce Minister Mr. Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury inaugurated the Database-web on Insurance (www.universitycampus.org/insurance.html) in the UC Auditorium. Chairman of Bangladesh. Insurance Association Mr. Nasir A Chowdhury was the special guest.
Upcoming Events
Seminars are going to be held on the following topics:
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- a) Violence in the university VS Campus Police.
c) Bangla Medium VS English Medium in Education: Where is the equilibrium(Quest for an equilibrium)
d) School Admission Test: What should be the proper method.
e) Area Specific Schooling: Prospects & Problems.
f) Proper Management of Non-govt. Colleges : Role of Governing Body.
g) Role of Foreign-admission Agencies in Bangladesh.
h) Role of Coaching Centers in the Educational Sector.
i) Role of media in creating awareness on proper functioning of Banks.
j) In Search of the Rationale for Functioning of the Bangladesh Secretariate.
Source of Finance
From the very beginning, UC has been getting financial support from different government and non-govt. organizations for its performance. It is enlisted for regular donation from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Culture, University Grants Commission (UGC) and so on. UC also occasionally gets financial support from the President of Bangladesh and different district level authorities. The LGRD Ministry also helps this organization through its local bodies. Moreover, the district councils and municipalities help with donation or by giving advertisement.
Management & Legal Status
UC is an innovative and non-profit making multi-dimensional organization of resourceful and energetic women & men. It has a general body to make/formulate plans and also has an Executive Committee to implement those plans. This EC is comprised of seven members headed by the Executive Director cum Editor, who is the chief executive of this organization. Decisions are taken in a transparent way through consultation with the concerned persons. We follow the system of consultative management to run the organization. Besides, it has a strong body to give proper advice on related matters.
UC has a legal status as it obtained the declaration No. 37/88. dated 13-12-1988 by the Bangladesh Government i.e. Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dhaka. Under the GPO of Bd. Govt., its Registration No. D A 742/88 dated 12-12-1988. Moreover, now it is under process of registration of the Directorate of Social Welfare of the Govt.
UC Office & Location
After passing long 18 years in hired office, UC shifted to its own permanent office space in January, 2002. UC bought this 2750 sft. space with the proportionate land. It is situated in the heart of Dhaka city, opposite to Bangladesh Secretariate and very near to National Press Club. The address is 33, Topkhana Road (Floor 12), Maherba Plaza, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh. Phone: + 88 02 9550055 & 9560225, E-mail: universitycampus@hotmail.com, Web Address: www.universitycampus.org
Besides, we have a plan to build a multi-storied office-complex for UC on the 5 kathas of land which is under process of permanent lease in the Ministry of Land, Govt. of Bangladesh.
And At Last
In our long journey we had a lot of ups and downs. But we are determined to continue our efforts to make this country free of all evils and to develop a strong & healthy future generation. In the pursuit of our programs, we hope to get the continued support & co-operation of the patriots, well-wishers and the people who care for education & youth development, and desire to create a knowledge-based society.
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