Madrasah education can build ethical human resources: IAU VC

Madrasah education will play an important role in developing ethical and humane human resources and work as a supporting force in the future improvement of the national education system, Islamic Arabic University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Abu Zafar Khan has said.

He made the remarks as the chief discussant at a seminar titled "Higher Education in Madrasahs: Prospects and Challenges", organised by the Kamil (postgraduate) Education, Training and Research Centre of Islamic Arabic University at the PTI auditorium in Jashore on Wednesday (17 June).

Professor Dr Mohammad Abu Zafar Khan said the government is supportive of madrasah and religious education and is working to transform madrasah education into a modern education system.

"All stakeholders concerned must make better use of this opportunity and play a more active role in developing madrasah education," he said.

He also said teachers and principals must show greater sincerity and responsibility to ensure quality education for students.

The current infrastructural progress in madrasah education is largely the result of the efforts of the alem community, local initiatives and stakeholders, and was not achieved through government grants alone, he said.

He urged principals, teachers, local alems and governing body members to take their own initiatives to introduce modern classrooms, additional classes and activities to improve students' Arabic and English language skills.

The vice-chancellor also stressed the need to accelerate institutional development and make it more sustainable by bringing positive changes to students' thinking and mindset.

He directed principals to introduce teacher training sessions and called on governing body members to provide financial and institutional support where necessary.

Professor Dr Mohammad Abu Zafar Khan said a safe and education-friendly environment must be ensured for students, including uniforms, residential hostels and separate, improved classrooms for female students.

Islamic Arabic University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Mohammad Shahidul Islam presented the keynote paper at the seminar.

He said regular classroom attendance must be ensured to improve the quality of madrasah education, while students should also be encouraged to pursue higher education and career development.

He emphasised the need to engage successful alumni to motivate students.

Professor Dr Mohammad Shahidul Islam also said enriched libraries must be developed to ensure the availability of textbooks and reference books. Regular classroom teaching and training arrangements for teachers should also be ensured, he added.

He said the university has taken initiatives to ensure a session-jam-free education system through timely examinations, quick publication of results, implementation of the academic calendar and the launch of MPhil and PhD programmes.

However, coordinated efforts by governing bodies, teachers and all stakeholders concerned are needed to make proper use of these opportunities, he said.

The seminar was also addressed by university Planning and Development Office Director and Project Director Md Nawser Ali, Registrar (Acting) Fahad Ahmed Momtazi and Jashore District Education Officer Md Mahfuzul Hossen.

Principals and governing body representatives from different affiliated Fazil and Kamil madrasahs in Jashore district also spoke at the seminar.

Speakers stressed the need for coordinated initiatives between the university and its affiliated institutions to make madrasah education timely, skill-based and suitable for higher education.