UGC Plans 500 PhD Fellowships

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has taken an initiative to increase the number of PhD and postdoctoral fellowships to expand high-quality and internationally competitive research at the country’s universities. The commission also plans to increase special allocations for research and build effective and sustainable research ecosystems at universities.

Monday, August 31: UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed disclosed the plans while addressing the 179th full commission meeting of the UGC.

The number of UGC’s own PhD scholarships has been increased from 75 to 100. From the next fiscal year, the commission plans to gradually raise the number to 500. At the same time, opportunities for pursuing PhDs abroad have been increased from 10 to 35. The UGC has also taken steps to increase the number of postdoctoral fellowships.

The commission will propose a special allocation from the government in the next fiscal year for PhD and postdoctoral research.

The UGC chairman said opportunities for domestic and overseas PhDs need to be expanded to address the shortage of qualified teachers at the country’s universities. The UGC has already taken several initiatives to ensure high-quality research. Research-friendly and updated policies have been formulated, while opportunities for domestic and overseas PhDs are being expanded.

He said the UGC aims to make research one of the core activities of universities to bring qualitative changes to higher education. Alongside increasing the volume of research, ensuring its quality, impact and practical application remains a key priority of the commission.

Professor Mamun Ahmed said the UGC is focusing on producing skilled and qualified researchers, developing modern research infrastructure, ensuring adequate and sustainable funding, expanding domestic and international research collaboration, and creating opportunities to apply research findings in practice. These initiatives will be implemented in an integrated manner to establish effective research ecosystems at universities.

He said research success cannot be limited to publishing research papers alone. Research must be effectively linked to solving real-world problems and advancing industry and the economy. To this end, the UGC is encouraging effective communication between universities and industrial and commercial organizations, joint research, and the commercial and social application of research-based knowledge and innovation.

The UGC chairman also emphasized giving greater importance to universities’ performance, achievements and research outcomes when allocating research funds. He noted the need to evaluate universities based on their capacity in research, innovation and practical application of research findings.

Professor Mamun Ahmed said research investment would become more strategic and outcome-based in the future. Consideration would be given to prioritizing universities that make effective contributions to research, innovation and the knowledge-based economy in strengthening their research capacity.

The meeting approved the ‘UGC Promotional and Academic Staff Development Research Project Policy, 2026’.

UGC members Professor Dr. Masuma Habib, Professor Md. Mehedi Hasan Khan, Professor Dr. Md. Aslam Hossain and Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Chowdhury attended the meeting.

Vice-Chancellor of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University Professor Dr. Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, Vice-Chancellor of Chandpur Science and Technology University Professor Dr. M Atikur Rahman, Vice-Chancellor of Khulna Agricultural University Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman Sarker, Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University Professor Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali, Vice-Chancellor of Sunamganj Science and Technology University Professor Dr. Mohammad Zakir Hossain and Vice-Chancellor of Sylhet Medical University Professor Dr. Md. Ziaur Rahman Chowdhury were also present.

UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam presented the meeting papers.

//DBTech/IHU/MIST//