Meeting with University Grants Commission (UGC) members

To enhance the effectiveness and relevance of IQAC operations at private universities, the Strategic Planning and Quality Assurance (SPQA) Division of the University Grants Commission (UGC) visited to Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) on 28 July 2025 from 10:30 a.m. to 01:30 p.m.

The team was led by Professor Dr. Masuma Habib, Honorable Member, UGC, Dr. Durga Rani Sarker (Director, SPQA Division), Mr. Mohammad Monir Ullah (Deputy Director), and Mr. Md. Mustaque Ahmed (Assistant Director). The purpose of the visit was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the structure, effectiveness, and strategic direction of IQAC operations at AUST.

The initial session was held at the VC Conference Room, where the UGC delegation met with the IQAC leadership team:

• Dr. Mohammad Sarwar Morshed, Director, IQAC, AUST
• Naznin Sultana Chaity, Additional Director, IQAC, AUST
• Fakir Sharif Hossain, Additional Director, IQAC, AUST

Prof. Dr. Sarwar Morshed delivered the opening address, showcasing various IQAC initiatives. The presentation highlighted numerous activities, the depth of evidence provided to demonstrate measurable impact or alignment with national QA. Both Additional Directors contributed remarks, the discussions remained largely descriptive and pointed out some challenges the QA offices are regularly facing.

The UGC team raised several pertinent issues, focusing on:

• The functionality and transparency of the credit transfer system
• The research environment, including funding, output, and incentives
• The state and accessibility of library services
• The presence (or lack) of a cohesive academic master plan
• The institutional approach to Outcome-Based Education (OBE)
• The policies and infrastructure for foreign student admission

These lines of inquiry underscored the need for more strategic documentation, longitudinal data tracking, and a clearly defined roadmap for quality enhancement.

Following this session, the UGC delegation met with the top university administration:

• Dr. Md. Ashraful Hoque, Vice Chancellor, AUST
• Dr. Mohammed Mahbubur Rahman, Pro Vice Chancellor, AUST
• Dr. Sharmin Reza Chowdhury, Treasurer, AUST

The Vice Chancellor acknowledged ongoing initiatives and recognized systemic constraints requiring further attention, particularly in embedding a quality culture across departments and aligning institutional strategy with QA outcomes.

The visit concluded with an inspection of the IQAC Office and its conference facilities. While infrastructure appeared adequate, the evaluation highlighted the need for more dynamic use of the space to support training, data analysis, and collaborative quality planning.