They said the proposed draft, if approved, might face the similar fate of the much-talked uni-track education system at secondary level that the immediate-past BNP-Jamaat alliance government tried to introduce without any discussion with the experts concerned.

The alliance government was forced to postpone the system in the face of widespread criticism by leading academics and intellectuals.

The University Grants Commission (UGC), an apex body to monitor both public and private universities, has already send the draft of the 'umbrella act' to education ministry.

"At any day, the draft is likely to be approved at a meeting of the advisory council," said a high official of the education ministry.

In the name of lack of time, the education ministry will not discuss the draft with experts especially academics and others concerned before sending it to the advisory council, he added.

Sources in education ministry and UGC said a vested quarter which was involved with previous controversial initiative of uni-track education system, is now trying to approve the draft of the 'umbrella act' in violation of Public University Ordinance 1973 which is the protector of university's autonomy.

According to the draft of the new 'umbrella act', a search committee will select persons for all top posts including vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors, treasures, syndicate members and deans of public universities.

The President will form the search committee to be headed by a retired vice-chancellor.

But according to Public University Ordinance 1973, syndicate members and deans are elected.

UGC Chairman Prof Nazrul Islam said they had sent the draft of the 'umbrella act' as per the directive of the education ministry issued on March 21.

He, however, admitted that discussion with the experts is needed before approving the draft.

"We obeyed the instruction of the education ministry to make the draft of the 'umbrella act'. What I can do if the higher authorities decide not to discuss the issue with educationists and others concerned," he replied when asked why he did not arrange a discussion on this issue?

The Daily Star talked to several renowned academics about this issue and all of them expressed their concern over the move of the caretaker government.

They said all public universities cannot run under one rule because these are not similar.

They also said it will be a great mistake if the government approves the draft of the 'umbrella act' without scrutinising all its aspects through exchange of views with educationists and others concerned.

Prof Syed Manzurul Islam, member of the search committee formed on May 15, said the sprit of the university autonomy will be affected if the 'umbrella act' is approved.

"We always welcome the reform of Public University Ordinance 1973, but the unilateral move for approving the proposed 'umbrella act' is not acceptable to teachers.

The ministry should form a committee to be led by a noted educationist for holding discussions n the umbrella act," he told The Daily Star.

Dr Mohammad Anower Hossain, general secretary of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta), said there were moves for removing the university ordinance in the past, especially during the tenure of Ziaur Rahman and HM Ershad, but the ill-initiatives were not successful.

"BNP-Jamaat-led government took a initiative to introduce uni-track education system without consulting teachers, students and guardians, but their initiative was not successful. In the similar way, this unilateral decision of introducing 'umbrella act' will also not be successful," he said.

Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury, a renowned academic, said autonomy is essential for a public university and it is a wrong decision to run all public universities under one rule.

"We got autonomy for public university after our liberation war. The Public University Ordinance 1973 is related to our independence, and this move for 'umbrella act' is an undesirable initiative," he told The Daily Star.

"At first, discussion with students and teachers will have to take place before taking the initiative for a new act. This unilateral steps will not be well for the nation," he added.

Former chairman of UGC Prof Asaduzzaman said he does not understand why such an initiative has been taken without consulting teachers and students of public universities.

"Only four universities including Dhaka University are now running under the university ordinance. Rest of the public universities are running under their own individual rules. However, during my tenure I recommended that the ordinance should be reformed," he said.

AAMS Arefin Siddique, former president of Duta, said public universities especially Dhaka Universities have been facing various pressure since 1973, but the university authorities could resist the pressure with the help of the ordinance.

Terming the 'umbrella act' as black law, he said its provisions, especially the nomination system for syndicate, dean and other vital posts will create anomaly.

"We might update our ordinance but this should be done by our teachers and students," he told The Daily Star.

It may be noted that the draft of 'umbrella act' has recommended banning of party-affiliated politics by students and teachers on the campuses of all public universities.