Quality Education IIUC Perspective

International Islamic University Chittagong has elapsed fifteen(15) years from its inception in 1995 in
the field of higher education. In this article we have incorporated our discussion on quality education
with human/social demands and the technological aspects. Society has evolved through various phases
of social, economic and technological change. Episodes of technological innovation were followed by
their economic exploitation in a series of waves(Figure-1)[ref 1] that has taken in the emergence of
water power/canals/iron/textiles in the late 18th century; steam power/railways/ steel in the mid 19th
century; and the emergence of electricity/chemicals/the internal combustion engine in the early 20th
century. The mid 20th century was characterized by petrochemicals/electronics and aviation. At the
start of the 21st century we are in the IT era of digital networks, software and new media, but there is a
growing sense that progress isn’t the sole province of technology. It is becoming increasingly clear that
tomorrow’s underpinning drivers are more about environmental issues and social objectives, rather than
simply technological and economic development. And that interface between human/social demands
and the application of technology is as it always has been the domain of the scientist and engineer.

Figure-1: Pace of Innovation.

The span of development wave is squeezing as the time passes and society is experiencing rapid
changes in this cycle. Educating society to cope with the development phase is in demand. In this
regard we define quality education as that prepare learner how to cope in phase within the development
cycles within its life span along with the moral values, religious integrity and societal responsibilities.
It is to be noted that religion is the ultimate source of ethics and morality and from the historical point
of view education is the best way to promote religion and religion is best way to educate society. As it
is mentioned that next development cycle is going to address the environmental issues and social
objectives, religion is the center point of both aspects. Considering the on going discussion we may say
that the born of IIUC is a timely human/social demand. How is IIUC performing in preparing graduates
to face the challenges? The success and pitfalls are fifty-fifty though the slogan of this university is
“quality combines with morality”. At the present context one needs to realize that quality does not refer
to becoming a master in a subject, rather it refers to the learning to tune with the development waves.
So, the effort of quality education is to produce high quality learner. Otherwise the skillful graduate
after few days will find himself/herself uncomfortable to suit while facing multiple overlapping waves
within the short span. There is an important saying in our society that one should seek knowledge from
cradle to dead. By the virtue of development of ICT(Information and Communication Technology) vast
knowledge is accessible anytime from anywhere. Transmitting knowledge has turned in variety ways
i.e. audio/video streaming, animation, interactive learning software, auto assessment etc. instead
through books and classroom only. Knowledge has been perfectly globalised. Acquiring knowledge
depends on the quality of learner. Teachers need to keep attention in this while preparing his/her lecture
plan along with the global harmony. University is to facilitate in creation of such an academic
atmosphere where student's learning capability accelerates. Epistemology is being reshaped and now a
days general trend of writing books is targeting individual reader rather than writing text books is
observed. What necessary steps IIUC should take for quality education under the light of introductory
discussion will be discussed in the following subsequent sections.
References:
1. Professor Paul W Jowitt of Heriot-Watt University, 6th Brunel International Lecture, ICE