The shortage of teachers has forced the government to cancel implementation of at least nine science and technology universities, sources said.

The education ministry drafted a proposal in this regard, which was approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The former Awami League government took an initiative to establish 12 science and technology universities in the districts having no university.

Among the 12 proposed universities, nine were supposed to be established in Rangpur, Barisal, Comilla, Jessore, Faridpur, Noakhali, Pabna, Rangamati and Bogra. However, three such universities -- Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dinajpur Haji Danesh Science and Technology University and Tangail Maulana Bhashani Science and Technology University -- have already been established with inadequate infrastructure and a minimum number of faculty members and students.

State Minister for Education ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon however denied that the project has been cancelled. Instead, the government has asked private universities to supplement with more subjects on information and communication technology.

"We are not getting qualified teachers and adequate number of students for the new universities," he said.

"The project will continue on availability of qualified faculty members," Milon said, adding that some science and technology universities have become 'non-viable' with the reduction of travel time due to improved road links.

He cited the example of Gopalganj Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University after the establishment of a similar university in Patuakhali.

"As it is about an hour's drive between the two universities, it is not viable by any means," the state minister said.

Asked about the growing number of private universities, which reached 50, the state minister said qualified teachers are reluctant to work on government salary, which is meagre compared to pay cheques in private universities.

Comilla badly needs a university, considering the distance between Dhaka and Chittagong, he said. The government may relocate those proposed universities on the basis of geographic location, he added.

Educationist Prof. Serajul Islam Chowdhury said public universities have failed to earn confidence of the students and guardians due to the poor teaching method. People have now turned to private universities although the tuition fee there is higher.

He questioned the rationale behind establishing such universities, saying that qualified teachers will not go to remote places. So, a university there will not help the students or faculty members. The government should not concentrate only on establishing science and technology universities, rather it should establish fully-fledged public universities, he added.