The 28-year-old university is Central Women’s University. Although the main work of the university is research, in 2020 this university did not spend a single penny in this sector. The People’s University of Bangladesh is 25 years old. This university also has no expenditure in the research sector. Thus, out of 150 public and private universities in the country, 35 did not spend a single penny in the research sector in 2020. 44 universities have spent up to Tk 10 lakh. Multiple public universities also did no research other than a few publications throughout the year.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday handed over the 47th annual report to the President of the universities, President Abdul Hamid. The UGC’s annual report, based on data from 2020, paints a picture of the plight of research.
In 2020, educational activities were started in 47 public universities and 104 private universities. Of these, eight public universities and 26 private universities did not spend a single penny on research. The number of universities that have spent one lakh to five lakh rupees is 31, the number of universities that have spent five lakh to 10 lakh rupees is 13. Most of these universities are private.
The annual report also found that many universities have paid off their debts by spending some money on research in Namkawaste. Among the public universities, the Islamic University spent Rs 75 lakh on research but could not publish a single publication in 2020. Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology spent one crore 26 lakh rupees on research but their publication was only one. Noakhali University of Science and Technology, Jessore University of Science and Technology and Barisal University have published only two publications. However, Begum Rokeya University spent Rs 60 lakh and Rangamati University of Science and Technology spent Rs 343,000 but published one publication each.
BRAC University has spent the most on research in 2020, 55 crore 23 lakh rupees. The number of their publications was 36. Among the public universities, Dhaka University has spent the most on research, Tk 6 crore 61 lakh. The number of their publications was 445.
A few private universities have surpassed many old public universities in research. Of this, Daffodil International University has spent Tk 121.6 million, American International University Bangladesh Tk 93 million, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh Tk 83.7 million and North South University Tk 617 million.
Among the public universities, Bangladesh Agricultural University has spent Tk 6.19 crore, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University Tk 4.8 crore, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Tk 4 crore and Bangladesh Textile University Tk 4.15 crore.
According to the commission’s recommendation, research activities could be initiated through discussions between the country’s universities and industrial establishments. Through this, the industries will be able to inform the universities about their problems and needs. The teachers and students of the university will work according to the demand through research as well as find out the way out of the problems that have arisen. And through this, the universities will get the necessary funds from the industry for research. After the research, the industries will also be able to increase the technological excellence of the product. The money that universities receive from such research will enable them to become financially self-sufficient and reduce their dependence on the state budget.
Former chairman of the University Grants Commission, Professor. AK Azad Chowdhury told Kaler Kanth, “A university should focus on research. According to him, they should be planned in advance. I gave the budget for the budget, then I spent it, so the research will not increase. In addition, very little money is now paid for PhD and post-doctoral degrees. As a result, those who can go abroad leave. And those who live in the country are not encouraged to research. Increasing funding for these degrees will increase research. Apart from this, non-governmental organizations can also provide financial assistance for research. As they benefit, so will the research. “
BRAC University Emeritus Professor. Manzoor Ahmed told Kaler Kanth, “BRAC University values both teaching and research. They have set goals. They encourage the faculty to do research. In fact, research is needed to study. Other universities can also set their goals and plans with research. Some measures have to be taken for this. At first the money has to be paid to the government. But the university has to plan ahead to make it work. ‘
