University of Dhaka: Coaching center or the country's top university?

Dhaka University: Coaching center or the country's top university?

"I call Dhaka University a coaching center." This comment by Boby Hajjaj, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education, on a podcast has sparked intense debate in the country's education sector within moments. From social media to teachers, students, intellectuals, researchers, and the political arena—discussion and criticism have erupted everywhere. Some say it is a grave insult to the country's most historic university. Others believe the State Minister has highlighted an uncomfortable reality about the research and academic standards of universities that has long been ignored.

Origin of the controversy

Recently participating in a podcast, Boby Hajjaj said, "I call Dhaka University a coaching center. It is actually a coaching university." He also claimed that many universities in the country are functioning primarily as "teaching universities" and are not where they should be in terms of research. According to him, some private universities are ahead of Dhaka University in research.

The remarks quickly went viral. Many have termed the minister's comments "insulting" and "irresponsible," raising questions about the university's history, heritage, research, and contribution to national life. Many have questioned the acceptability of such remarks about the country's premier university by a person holding a responsible government position. Facing criticism, he eventually retracted his statement.

The university's heritage and contribution

Founded in 1921, Dhaka University is not just an educational institution but one of the principal architects of Bangladesh's national and cultural history.

From the Language Movement, United Front Movement, Education Movement, Six-Point Movement, the 1969 Mass Uprising, the Liberation War, the anti-autocracy movement, to the 2024 Mass Uprising—the university has played a direct role in nearly every significant political chapter of the country. Most of Bangladesh's presidents, prime ministers, ministers, bureaucrats, judges, economists, writers, journalists, and diplomats have, in some way, had their educational journey linked to Dhaka University. That is why many consider it not just a university but the political and intellectual heartbeat of Bangladesh.
The core of the debate: Research

In response to the State Minister's remarks, teachers, researchers, and those associated with the university say that while criticism of research quality is acceptable, portraying Dhaka University as a researchless institution without knowing the facts is misleading. Examining research, publication, and international ranking indicators shows that despite various limitations and funding shortages, Dhaka University still maintains its position as the country's top higher education institution. In 2025, teachers and researchers at the university published 1,789 research papers in Scopus-indexed journals, the highest among any university in Bangladesh. In the same period, BRAC University had 804 publications and North South University had 778.

In international rankings, the institution consistently maintains its top position within Bangladesh. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, Dhaka University ranked 584th globally, retaining its status as the country's top university. Simultaneously, in the QS Asia University Rankings, it secured 132nd place in Asia, remaining first in Bangladesh. Additionally, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the university advanced nearly 200 steps from the previous year, securing a position in the 801-1000 range. The university administration has already formed special committees and begun work to continue improving in key indicators such as research, citations, internationalization, and academic reputation.

According to analysts, evaluating a university's research quality requires considering not just the number of research papers or results, but also state investment, infrastructural facilities, and the research-supportive environment behind those results. From this perspective, comparing Dhaka University with top global universities reveals stark disparities. Harvard University spends approximately Tk 12,536 crore annually on research, Oxford University Tk 12,800 crore, the University of Melbourne Tk 13,825 crore, the National University of Singapore Tk 8,780 crore, the University of Tokyo Tk 7,550 crore, and India's IIT Madras around Tk 1,578 crore. In contrast, Dhaka University's research allocation is only around Tk 21 crore. That is, this oldest and largest university in the country must conduct research with hundreds of times less funding compared to top global universities.

Analysis of recent Times Higher Education data shows that while Dhaka University's "Research Environment" score is only 13.3, its "Research Quality" score is 76.5. That is, although the university lags far behind top global universities in terms of research funding, infrastructure, and supportive environment, the gap in research quality is comparatively much smaller.

According to education analysts, the financial crisis of the country's premier university does not receive as much discussion as rankings or political controversies. They question how realistic it is to expect Harvard- or Oxford-quality research from a university that does not receive adequate funding or research infrastructure. In their view, greater state investment in research is a prerequisite for improving higher education.

Teachers say that despite limited research funds, restricted access to international journals, limitations in attending foreign conferences, and a lack of modern lab facilities, the amount of research being done is itself a significant achievement. According to them, considering Bangladesh's economic reality and research investment, Dhaka University's position is better than expected.

Strong reactions from Dhaka University students and teachers

When the State Minister's comments went viral on social media, current and former Dhaka University students and teachers reacted strongly. Many called for the minister to retract his statement.

Professor Dr. Kamrul Hasan Mamun of the Physics Department at Dhaka University strongly criticized the minister's remarks. He said, "If he had stopped at saying 'I call Dhaka University a coaching center,' I wouldn't have been so shocked. Because I too have been saying that the university's standard is declining. But the claim that Dhaka University does not even do a fraction of the research that North South and BRAC University do is completely false."

"In the context of Bangladesh, Dhaka University's role is still far above any private university," he added.

In his view, the university has limitations, but Dhaka University's contribution to the country's birth, education, politics, and state-building is far greater than any other institution.

Assistant Professor Md. Anwarul Azim of the International Relations Department at Dhaka University said in a Facebook status that Dhaka University's annual budget deficit exceeds Tk 80 crore. Whoever speaks loftily about rankings, research numbers, and quality while hiding the financial distress of the country's premier university should be understood to be either expressing foolishness without knowing the correct information or pretending while knowing the truth. Despite such a deficit, the fact that Dhaka University remains in the 600-800 range in world rankings in various years is itself notable. He noted that the United States has approximately 4,000 universities/degree-granting institutions. This means that more than 3,500 US institutions offering bachelor's degrees rank below Dhaka University. He added that hearing the State Minister's recent thoughts and statements makes it seem like he is not in charge of the Ministry of Education but rather the manager of some coaching center's Farmgate branch.

Shakir Ahmed, a teacher in the Department of Islamic History and Culture at Dhaka University, also criticized the minister's remarks, saying, "A trend has developed where criticizing Dhaka University is seen as a way to elevate one's status and remain in the spotlight."

He noted that despite limitations in research, rankings, or infrastructure, Dhaka University has repeatedly led the country at critical junctures. In his words, "Dhaka University students do not carry out militant attacks like the Holy Artisan Bakery attack; rather, they fight liberation wars and build the nation."
DUDS and the "White Party" protest

After the remarks were made public, various student organizations, DUDS (Dhaka University Central Students' Union) leaders, and general students protested. Simultaneously, the BNP-affiliated teachers' organization "White Party" issued a statement calling Boby Hajjaj's remarks "extremely insulting" and "irresponsible." According to them, the comments disrespected the university's teachers, students, researchers, and alumni.

DUDS stated that the State Minister's remarks were irresponsible, divorced from reality, and highly disrespectful to Dhaka University's teachers, students, and researchers. Such generalized and insulting statements from a responsible constitutional position are not only undesirable but also serve to belittle the country's higher education system.

Retraction of the remarks

Facing mounting criticism, Boby Hajjaj ultimately retracted his statement. He said his comments had been misinterpreted and that he had no intention of disrespecting Dhaka University. He also mentioned that he holds respect for the university.

In a post on his verified Facebook page, the State Minister said, "Since my partial statement has caused some misunderstanding, many have been displeased, and many of my loved ones and well-wishers have been hurt, I am completely retracting my statement. I hope there will be no further controversy or misunderstanding on this matter."

What experts say

Experts say that while there may be debates and criticisms about Dhaka University's limitations, considering global disparities in research budgets, a century of heritage, contributions to nation-building, and the current research reality, one thing is clear: Dhaka University can be discussed, but defining it solely as a "coaching center" oversimplifies reality.

Educationist and higher education researcher Dr. Akram Hossain said, "Discussions about Dhaka University's limitations certainly can—and should—take place. But characterizing a century-old university as a 'coaching center' oversimplifies reality. Before questioning research quality, one must also consider state investment in the research sector, infrastructural crises, and teachers' working environments. Criticism is acceptable only when it is fact-based and solution-oriented."

On the other hand, analyst Ahmad Hossain said, "Dhaka University is not perfect; much work remains to improve research and academic standards. However, the institution's contribution to the country's history, state-building, leadership development, and intellectual pursuits cannot be denied. Those in responsible positions must maintain balance in their statements. The university's weaknesses can be highlighted, but language should not be used that calls into question the contributions of the entire institution and its teachers and students."
Statement from the university administration

Dhaka University's Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Dr. Mohammad Almozadded Al Feshaney, told Agameer Samay that the university authorities had rejected the remarks made by the State Minister for Education. However, since he subsequently retracted his statement and clarified the matter to the nation, the Vice-Chancellor said he does not see any need to comment further on the issue.

He stated, "Despite limited capacity and resources, Dhaka University is moving forward. Notwithstanding constraints in teacher-student ratio, government assistance, and research budget allocations, the university has continued its activities in education and research."

He added, "The research budget and modern technological infrastructure play an important role in advancing further in world rankings. Due to some deficiencies in these two areas, Dhaka University has not been able to reach its desired position. However, there is no deficiency in the talent and competence of the university's teachers, students, and researchers."

According to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dhaka University's students and teachers are proving their skills in various countries around the world. If adequate research funding, advanced equipment, and technological facilities can be ensured, the university will be able to establish an even stronger position internationally.

He further said that despite a limited budget, Dhaka University continues to strive its best to improve in world rankings. He expressed optimism that if more investment and support for research can be obtained in the future, the university will be able to achieve an even better position among world-class institutions.