Professor Abdul Mannan, Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) addressing as the chief guest at the training of Trainers program on “Higher Education for Autistic Person” held today at DIU Auditorium.
Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Daffodil International University organized a training of Trainers program on “Higher Education for Autistic Person” today on 12th November 2016 at DIU Auditorium. Professor Abdul Mannan, Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) graced the program as the chief guest. Professor Dr. Md. Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University, Kustia and Professor Dr. Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) were present as the special guests. Prof. Dr. Yousuf M. Islam, Vice Chancellor, Daffodil International University presided over the program. Professor Muhammad Mahaboob Ali, PhD, Director, Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) presented the keynote paper in the program.
Addressing as the chief guest Professor Abdul Mannan said, autistic persons would turn to be of immense potentialities instead of being burden in the society given affection, love and care. He called upon educational institutions, national –international organizations, voluntary organizations and all sections of the society to come forward for welfare of autistic persons with holistic approach and it should be started from the primary level.
Talking about ensuring the quality education UGC Chairman said, at this moment there is no scarcity of fund and there is enough budgets for supporting for development of higher education in Bangladesh, but we don’t have the capability and proper initiative of utilizing this huge amount of budget. He said, We have the budget of 240 million to expense till 2018, but we couldn’t still utilized 40% of the budgeted amount. We will get 2050 million dollar in 2017 and 9 universities are primarily selected for utilizing that fund & Daffodil International University is one of them, he added. He strongly lauded that the universities wouldn’t be able to utilize this amount due to capability and proper initiatives. So. he urged the universities to gain the capability of utilizing the fund and take proper initiative for development of higher education.
He appreciated the initiative of Training of Trainers on Higher Education for Autistic persons for the first time in Bangladesh
Prof. Dr. Yousuf M. Islam, Vice Chancellor, Daffodil International University handing over a memento to Professor Abdul Mannan, Honorable Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC)
Speakers in the program said that Government of Bangladesh has made significant regulatory progress in addressing the issue of complex disorders like autism as a national priority and National Trust Act for Neuro developmental Disabilities 2013 and Disabled Persons Right and Security Act 2013.
They also said that in Bangladesh, National Education Policy 2010 has also given importance on more training for the teachers for increasing the skill to handle the child with special need.
A partial view of the audiances
Govt. reserves 1% quota for the disabled and autistic people in all first and second class jobs, including BCS, and 10% in class three and class four jobs for the disabled and orphans
Age-limit for entering the services has been extended up to 40 yrs, they added.
But if the person does not get at least a congenial environment for their higher education then keeping quota for their job will be of no value, they opined.
