The Privatisation of Higher Education in Postcolonial Bangladesh: The Politics of Intervention and Control

This book examines the complexities of neoliberalism in Bangladesh's higher education sector, exploring how it has evolved over the past four decades and the complex politics behind its privatization. It discusses how changes have been characterized by policy reforms, massification, and a sustained friction between control and autonomy in the university sector. The authors take a nuanced approach to their geo-political and onto-epistemological positionalities as diasporic and hybridized scholars, rejecting epistemological exclusion inherent in the colonial present.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 156 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate and multifaceted realities of the political dimension of higher education privatization in Bangladesh. By examining the complexities of neoliberalism as an economic and ideological doctrine, a mode of governance, and a policy package, it critically assesses the notion that 'post-colonialism' is more aspirational than achieved. Drawing from an interdisciplinary study involving contemporary theories from political and social sciences, economics, and the socio-economics of education, the book explores the unique trajectory of Bangladeshi higher education over the past four decades, as well as the complex politics underpinning its privatization. Through an empirically grounded account of how neoliberalism has permeated the higher education sector within the fastest-growing economy in South Asia, the authors shed light on the transformative changes that have taken place, characterized by policy reforms, massification, and a persistent tension between control and autonomy within the university sector.

In their approach, the authors adopt a nuanced stance, recognizing their geo-political and onto-epistemological positionalities as diasporic and hybridized scholars. By rejecting the epistemological exclusions inherent in colonial contexts and research conducted within such frameworks, they foster a critical engagement with the colonial present. This position enables them to theorize from within the rich tapestry of Global South de colonial and postcolonial research literature, contributing to the ongoing discourses of 'globalization from above' and 'globalization from below.'

This book makes a significant contribution to the broader discourse on globalization and higher education reform in South Asia. By shedding light on the often-idiosyncratic pathways followed by higher education reform in this region, it provides valuable insights for comparative educators, policymakers, and scholars interested in education developments in Global South nations. Through its comprehensive analysis and thoughtful insights, this book offers a valuable resource for understanding the complex dynamics and challenges associated with higher education privatization in Bangladesh and its broader implications for the region and beyond.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032000725