UGC Chairman Urges Action
Integrating Tech and Social Science Research Needed: UGC
- UGC calls for integrating technology and social science research against extremism.
- Focus shifted from academic citations to solving real-world societal problems.
- Quality-based research funding promised across all universities without discrimination
University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed called for integrating research across science, technology, humanities, and social sciences to tackle national challenges such as extremism, intolerance, violence, and social polarization. He made these remarks on Tuesday (September 08) as the chief guest at an international conference titled "Human-Centred and Evidence-Informed Policies for Countering Violent Extremism" at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, University of Dhaka.
Professor Mamun Ahmed stated that the true success of research lies in addressing practical human and societal challenges, rather than merely boosting publication metrics or personal career profiles. Emphasizing that universities are not isolated from society, he stressed combining technological tools with multi-disciplinary approaches to analyze the underlying socio-cultural roots of extremism.
He highlighted the importance of fostering open dialogue among students from diverse beliefs and backgrounds on campuses to cultivate rational, scientific, and empathetic minds. Addressing young researchers, he assured that UGC stands ready to fund high-quality projects based solely on merit and capability, irrespective of the institution's size or age.
The conference was organized by DU's International Security Policy Lab and the Department of World Religions and Culture under a sub-project of UGC's Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project.
Chaired by Department Chairman Professor Dr. Md. Abu Sayem, the inaugural session featured Associate Professor Dr. Gordon Clubb from the University of Leeds as the keynote speaker. Special guests included Anti Terrorism Unit DIG Mohammad Muslim, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Md. Kamruzzaman, Professor Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam, and BUP Pro-Vice Chancellor Major General (Retd) Dr. Naeem Ashfaque Chowdhury. Research Director Dr. Md. Didarul Islam presented project details.
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