Quality Enhancement in Higher Education of Bangladesh:The Role of Academic Leadership
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Abstract
The rapid expansion of higher education in Bangladesh has brought both opportunities and challenges, particularly regarding the maintenance and enhancement of academic quality. Amidst growing concerns about teaching standards, research output, and institutional effectiveness, academic leadership has emerged as a key driver of quality enhancement. This study aims to examine the role of academic leadership in fostering quality assurance and institutional excellence in Bangladeshi higher education. Using a secondary data-based content analysis approach, relevant literature, policy documents, and institutional reports were systematically reviewed to identify core themes. The analysis highlights the critical influence of governance structures, leadership practices, policy alignment, and institutional culture in shaping academic quality outcomes. Effective academic leadership not only steers strategic decision-making but also cultivates an environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. The findings underscore the necessity of strengthening leadership capacity, aligning institutional policies with national quality frameworks, and fostering participatory and transparent governance. The study concludes with implications for policy and practice, emphasizing that sustainable quality enhancement in higher education is contingent upon proactive, visionary, and context-sensitive academic leadership.
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