International Islamic University Chittagong began a three-day training programme on Saturday to prepare for accreditation by the Bangladesh Accreditation Council. Speaking as chief guest at the opening, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Ali Azadi said falling behind in obtaining accreditation could create an existential crisis for the university. He described accreditation work, documentation, file preparation and responsibilities beyond teaching and research as essential conditions for a university’s continued operation.

Azadi said degrees without BAC recognition would lack professional acceptance and their value could fall close to zero. Citing approval requirements in pharmacy and law, he said a similar reality would apply to general and other academic departments in the near future. He also said parents and talented students now consider whether a university and its departments are accredited rather than looking only at large campuses.

The programme, organised by IIUC’s Institutional Quality Assurance Cell, is being held for the first time and is scheduled to end on August 3. Sessions cover BAC rules, processes, external quality assessment guidance, curriculum adaptation under the Bangladesh National Qualifications Framework, accreditation standards and assessment indicators. The university administration will consider departments’ accreditation progress when allocating budgets, infrastructure and other facilities.