Zero Allocation for Research in HSTU Budget Sparks Anger Among Teachers, Students

Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur has been allocated a budget of BDT 133.41 crore for the fiscal year 2026-27. Although the figure reflects an increase of BDT 4.12 crore compared to the previous year, the university has received zero allocation for research and innovation. This exclusion has sparked anger among students and teachers, considering that the allocation for research was BDT 3.10 crore in FY 2025-26 and BDT 2.80 crore in FY 2024-25.

Expressing their dissatisfaction, students pointed out that the University Grants Commission (UGC) should have maintained a distinct and autonomous fund for research within the main budget. They criticized the decision, arguing that neglecting research while prioritizing administrative expenses will inevitably halt the academic and innovative progress of the science and technology university.

According to institutional sources, out of the total BDT 133.41 crore budget, UGC will provide BDT 123.78 crore, while the remaining BDT 9.63 crore will be generated from the university's internal revenue.

Sector-wise Allocations:

• Salaries and Allowances (Highest Allocation): The lion's share of the budget, amounting to BDT 90.18 crore (67.59%), has been earmarked for salaries, allowances, and pensions of teachers, officers, and employees. This includes BDT 38.73 crore for officer salaries, BDT 8.36 crore for employee salaries, BDT 4.82 crore for special benefits, BDT 31.82 crore for regular allowances, and BDT 6.46 crore for pensions.

• Transport Sector: After receiving no funds for transport in the last fiscal year, the university has secured an allocation of BDT 4.40 crore for vehicles this term.

• Healthcare (Lowest Allocation): Data from the Treasurer's office reveals that healthcare received the lowest priority with an allocation of just BDT 12 lakh (0.09% of the total budget). With a student body of 11,203, this breaks down to an insufficient BDT 107 per student annually.

• Other Fields: Additionally, BDT 29.73 crore has been assigned for general goods and services, BDT 3.35 crore for repairs, BDT 2.42 crore for machinery grants, BDT 80 lakh for ICT grants, BDT 70 lakh for capital expenditure, and BDT 1.69 crore for miscellaneous grants.

Addressing the issue of zero research funding, HSTU Treasurer Professor Dr. Md. Jahangir Kabir stated that from the current fiscal year, the UGC intends to fund academic research projects directly. "Consequently, a separate allocation was not included in the university's main budget framework this time. We will soon submit an application to the UGC requesting the necessary research grants," he added.

//DBTech/NPB/EK//