UGC Stresses Smart Research Spending, National Skills Survey

To enhance the quality of research, the Chairman of the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC), Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, has emphasized verifying the justification for procuring scientific equipment, evaluating the effectiveness of allocations in the research sector, and ensuring the maximum utilization of existing resources. At the same time, he has instructed relevant stakeholders to initiate a coordinated national-level survey to determine the actual demand for skilled manpower across various sectors in the country.

He made these directives at a meeting held on Thursday, 7 April, at the office of the ‘Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT)’ project at the Copyright Building in Agargaon.

Among those present at the meeting were UGC Member Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, Director of the Planning and Development Department Mohammad Maksudur Rahman Bhuiya, HEAT Project Director Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman, and other concerned officials.

Addressing the participants, the UGC Chairman stated that a lack of clear understanding of labor market demands has created a visible gap between higher education and the industrial sector. To bridge this gap, he advised incorporating a national survey on manpower demand into the revised project proposal of HEAT.

Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed said that one of the primary goals of higher education is to prepare students for the workforce. For this, it is essential to have reliable data on the types of skilled manpower required across different sectors and the number and types of graduates being produced by universities.

He further stressed the need to ensure maximum transparency and efficiency in project expenditures. He advised reviewing the valuable research equipment previously procured under the HEQEP project and avoiding unnecessary repeat purchases of similar equipment. If necessary, he recommended conducting a separate survey on this matter.

Reiterating his stance, the UGC Chairman again emphasized the importance of assessing the rationale behind purchasing scientific equipment, evaluating the effectiveness of research funding, and ensuring optimal use of existing resources.

Regarding faculty development, he said that a modern university teacher training academy should be established swiftly as a flagship initiative under the HEAT project. He directed that a suitable location near a divisional city be selected for its prompt implementation.

Highlighting the importance of improving student-teacher relationships, he noted that such relationships have deteriorated in universities across the country. Although the issue has existed for a long time, it has become more visible following the July Uprising of 2024. To overcome this situation, he stressed increasing academic engagement on campuses and finding ways to ensure that teachers and students remain effectively engaged for at least 40 hours per week.

Relevant officials stated that once the proposed survey is implemented, it will become easier to identify existing skill gaps between higher education and the labor market, which will play a significant role in future policymaking.

DBTech/MJR/EK/OR