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Bangladesh’s Public Universities, Online Education, and Covid-19 Pandemic: Convulsions and Corrections

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Coronavirus Pandemic & Online Education

Abstract

Our study primarily aims to review the public university status against the pandemic and the challenges/obstacles faced in introducing online education systems. A comparative analysis of the dichotomous implementation outcomes between public and private institutions is undertaken, theoretically driven by the push-pull mooring model. Public university adaptability is measured with virtual learning, knowledge dissemination and assessment, administrative indecisiveness, financial capacity limits of diverse student socioeconomic backgrounds, unavailability of logistical and infrastructural support (such as accessibility to devices and Internet connections), digital divisions exacerbating rural-urban contexts, and other push and pull factors. Given its ‘developed country’ target, Bangladesh’s education sector is examined against governmental and other authoritative priorities. A mixed methodology (although predominantly qualitative including KIIs with faculty members and officers of UGC and IQAC) helps forward such recommendations as completely overhauling traditional teaching and evaluation systems in public universities, and spearheading an expedited enactment of a comprehensive rescue plan identifying and addressing the systemic incapacities impeding standardized online education.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Independent University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Taiabur Rahman

  2. Resilience & Inclusive Growth Cluster, United Nations Development Programme, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Lamia Mohsin

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  1. Taiabur Rahman
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  2. Lamia Mohsin
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Correspondence to Taiabur Rahman .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Global Studies & Governance, Center for Pedagogy, Independent University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Imtiaz A. Hussain

  2. Independent University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Jessica Tartila Suma

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Rahman, T., Mohsin, L. (2023). Bangladesh’s Public Universities, Online Education, and Covid-19 Pandemic: Convulsions and Corrections. In: Hussain, I.A., Tartila Suma, J. (eds) Coronavirus Pandemic & Online Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6853-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6853-2_5

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore

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  • Online ISBN: 978-981-19-6853-2

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