D, Performance Analysis of Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC): Ensuring Quality Higher Education in Bangladesh

Abstract

In today’s knowledge-based and competitive world, a country like Bangladesh must have access to high-quality higher education if it is to succeed. A project with financial assistance from the World Bank was implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which is responsible for ensuring that all public and private universities establish an Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The primary mission of IQAC is to promote a quality management mindset among university students. The main objective of this research is to examine the current state of higher education in Bangladesh. Using a qualitative research design, this study investigated the current functioning of IQACs in higher education institutions, identified the challenges they face in improving higher education, and explored ways to address these challenges. The findings reveal several significant obstacles to improving educational quality, including a lack of autonomy within programmes and departments because most decisions are centralized, inadequate infrastructure, limited student access to research facilities, and insufficient strategies and activities for continuous improvement. Although government initiatives encourage academics to pursue further studies, new teachers do not receive foundational training. Science graduates also face inadequate access to laboratory facilities, and information technology resources remain insufficient. The study recommends that universities prioritize research and create new opportunities, promote practical instruction over theoretical learning, reduce dependence on conventional note-based learning, and regularly update curricula to reflect changing needs.