UGC report: Universities struggling to spend research budget
Analysis of commission data show that some private universities are ahead of public universities in spending on research
University Grants Commission (UGC) Collected
Mamun Abdullah
Publish : 04 Jan 2022, 09:42 PMUpdate : 05 Jan 2022, 12:28 AM
Although teachers and students at universities have always complained about a research environment and financial inadequacy, almost the entire amount of allocation by the government every year remains almost unspent.
The annual report data of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2020 show that out of 46 public universities, 38 universities have spent a total of Tk72.91 crore in the research sector and out of 107 private universities, 77 universities have spent 111.73 crore on research.
A similar picture was also projected in the 2019 report of the commission, with 125 universities of the country spending Tk153 crore on research. On average, expenditure at each university stood at Tk1.22 crore, meaning 1% of the total allocation.
In the 2019-2020 fiscal year, placing priority on the research sector, the government allocated funds for public university teachers for purposes of research in science and technology, arts and humanities, social sciences, business studies and science and technology.
However, a total of 35 universities did not spend any amount on research, while 125 public and private universities altogether spent only Tk153 crore of the total expenditures. Around 50 universities did not bring out any publications throughout 2020, according to the commission report.
The UGC report notes that there are 157 universities – 50 public and 107 private. Among these, four public and eight private universities are yet to start academic activities.
Of these, eight public universities and 27 private universities did not spend a single amount on research while 31 universities spent between TK1 and 5 lakh and 13 universities spent between TK5 and 10 lakh.
Private universities ahead of public
Analysis of the UGC data also shows that some private universities are ahead of public universities in spending on research although there is no government allocation for private universities.
Brac University spent TK55.23 crore, which is the most on research in 2020 among the public and private universities. The number of its publications was 378.
Among others, Daffodil International University (DIU) spent Tk12.16 crore, American International University Bangladesh (AIUB) Tk9.30 crore, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) Tk8.37 crore and North South University (NSU) Tk6.17 crore.
Public universities’ situation
The annual report also found that among the public universities, Dhaka University spent the most on research – Tk 6.61 crore – and its publications totalled 445.
On the other hand, Islamic University spent Tk65 lakh but could not bring out a single publication last year.
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) spent Tk1.27 crore but produced only one publication.
Noakhali University of Science and Technology, Jessore University of Science and Technology and Barisal University each had only two publications.
Meanwhile, Begum Rokeya University spent Tk70 lakh and Rangamati University of Science and Technology spent Tk3,43,000 but brought out one publication each.
Bangladesh Agricultural University spent Tk6.19 crore, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University Tk4.77 crore, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Tk4 crore and Bangladesh Textile University Tk4.15 crore, Bangladesh Agricultural University TK5.69 crore, Rajshahi University Tk4.75 crore, Chittagong University Tk3.43 crore, Jahangirnagar University TK3 crore and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) TK2.30 crore.
What authorities say
Former UGC chairman Nazrul Islam termed the situation alarming and said the universities did not get enough financial support or come by suitable facilities for research.
Prof Nazrul Islam also mentioned that many people were not interested in conducting research in the country but preferred to go abroad to do the job.
Prof HM Jahirul Haque, vice-chancellor (VC) of ULAB said: “We always aim at ensuring research-based education and producing skilled human resources to take part in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
UGC report: Universities struggling to spend research budget
Although teachers and students at universities have always complained about a research environment and financial inadequacy, almost the entire amount of allocation by the government every year remains almost unspent.
The annual report data of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2020 show that out of 46 public universities, 38 universities have spent a total of Tk72.91 crore in the research sector and out of 107 private universities, 77 universities have spent 111.73 crore on research.
A similar picture was also projected in the 2019 report of the commission, with 125 universities of the country spending Tk153 crore on research. On average, expenditure at each university stood at Tk1.22 crore, meaning 1% of the total allocation.
In the 2019-2020 fiscal year, placing priority on the research sector, the government allocated funds for public university teachers for purposes of research in science and technology, arts and humanities, social sciences, business studies and science and technology.
However, a total of 35 universities did not spend any amount on research, while 125 public and private universities altogether spent only Tk153 crore of the total expenditures. Around 50 universities did not bring out any publications throughout 2020, according to the commission report.
The UGC report notes that there are 157 universities – 50 public and 107 private. Among these, four public and eight private universities are yet to start academic activities.
Of these, eight public universities and 27 private universities did not spend a single amount on research while 31 universities spent between TK1 and 5 lakh and 13 universities spent between TK5 and 10 lakh.
Private universities ahead of public
Analysis of the UGC data also shows that some private universities are ahead of public universities in spending on research although there is no government allocation for private universities.
Brac University spent TK55.23 crore, which is the most on research in 2020 among the public and private universities. The number of its publications was 378.
Among others, Daffodil International University (DIU) spent Tk12.16 crore, American International University Bangladesh (AIUB) Tk9.30 crore, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) Tk8.37 crore and North South University (NSU) Tk6.17 crore.
Public universities’ situation
The annual report also found that among the public universities, Dhaka University spent the most on research – Tk 6.61 crore – and its publications totalled 445.
On the other hand, Islamic University spent Tk65 lakh but could not bring out a single publication last year.
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) spent Tk1.27 crore but produced only one publication.
Noakhali University of Science and Technology, Jessore University of Science and Technology and Barisal University each had only two publications.
Meanwhile, Begum Rokeya University spent Tk70 lakh and Rangamati University of Science and Technology spent Tk3,43,000 but brought out one publication each.
Bangladesh Agricultural University spent Tk6.19 crore, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University Tk4.77 crore, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Tk4 crore and Bangladesh Textile University Tk4.15 crore, Bangladesh Agricultural University TK5.69 crore, Rajshahi University Tk4.75 crore, Chittagong University Tk3.43 crore, Jahangirnagar University TK3 crore and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) TK2.30 crore.
What authorities say
Former UGC chairman Nazrul Islam termed the situation alarming and said the universities did not get enough financial support or come by suitable facilities for research.
Prof Nazrul Islam also mentioned that many people were not interested in conducting research in the country but preferred to go abroad to do the job.
Prof HM Jahirul Haque, vice-chancellor (VC) of ULAB said: “We always aim at ensuring research-based education and producing skilled human resources to take part in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”