They suggested that all the departments of each university should have advisory committees comprising their alumni to monitor the quality of education, update curriculum and promote transparency in expenditure.

They also called for the introduction of annual ranking of public and private universities so that students and guardians can have an idea about the universities and choose one accordingly.

The Daily Star organised the roundtable titled 'Young Professionals Roundtable: Higher Education' at its office in the city.

The academics suggested introducing a system allowing the students to evaluate the performance of teachers.

They said the first two years of a four-year honours course should focus on knowledge-based foundation course and the next two years on practical-oriented course so that students can get job easily soon after completing their studies.

Prof Asif Nazrul of Dhaka University said politics by teachers and students on the campus should be banned.

"A teacher or student might have their own political views. They can be involved in politics outside the campus but should not use the campus for politics," he said and called on the government to enact a law banning politics on the campus for the greater interest of students.

He also called for ensuring transparency in all sectors of a university, particularly the recruitment of teachers, admission of students and expenditure, in order to maintain the standard of higher education.

Dr AK Enamul Haque, professor of economics department of East West University, said incompetent teachers were appointed in the public universities because of politicisation and nepotism while private universities do not have adequate number of full-time teachers.

Kazi Anis Ahmed, director of Academic Affairs of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), said the curriculum of higher education should be updated according to the market-driven demand so that students can enter the job market easily.

Dr Carmen Lamagna, vice-chancellor of American Inter-national University Bangladesh (AIUB), suggested bringing reforms to the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The chairman and members of the UGC should hold meeting with the academic committees of both public and private universities for the modernisation of the curriculum, she added.

Dr Imran Rahman of IBA said the higher education should be research-oriented to make students critical thinker.

Anir Chowdhury of CPD said the curricula of higher education must be updated immediately to ensure quality education as most public universities follow the curricula designed in the 60s.

Sharifuzzaman Pintu, senior staff correspondent of the Prothom Alo, criticised some private universities for issuing certificates without imparting proper lessons to students.

Former registrar of IUB Syed Almas Kabir, D.Net Executive Director Ananya Raihan, Mahfuz Sadique, and Mishu Rahman of Channel i took part in the roundtable moderated by Assistant Editor of The Daily Star Zafar Sobhan.