Software Review Drives Technological Modernization
Universities Eye Digital Network Zero Audits
- UGC initiates integrated digital network links and software infrastructure upgrades
- Directives issued to eliminate institutional audit objections following PPR standards
- Data-driven transparency emphasized to safeguard institutional financial autonomy effectively
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is engineering an integrated digital connectivity framework and reviewing existing software architectures to establish data-driven institutional coordination across public universities.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026: Speaking as the chief guest at a day-long workshop on "Public University Budget Formulation and Implementation" at the UGC Auditorium, UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed stated that efforts to build digital connectivity with each university are underway, with existing software being reviewed to integrate necessary functionalities. He directed authorities to take all required measures to bring audit objections down to absolute zero across higher education institutions.
Calling for the gradual settlement of historical audits alongside preventing new queries, Professor Mamun Ahmed observed that audit objections have steadily surged, with this year's growth outpacing previous records. Public disclosure of such irregularities damages citizens' trust regarding public expenditure. He identified non-compliance with the Public Procurement Rules (PPR) and financial codes as primary drivers behind these lapses, urging universities to thoroughly train personnel handling procurement.
Addressing autonomy, the Chairman noted that universities inherently require academic, administrative, and financial independence, yet practical realities currently limit them mostly to academic autonomy. Financial freedom relies on law-compliant fund management and verifiable expenditures. He affirmed that UGC acts strictly as an administrative bridge rather than imposing rigid rules, ensuring autonomy coexists with state statutory regulations. Highlighting recruitment bottlenecks, he cited a 2023 faculty sanction that remained unrecruited through 2026, stressing rigorous baseline data validation before demanding new personnel.
Presiding over the event, UGC Member Professor Dr. Md. Aslam Hossain noted that 57 out of 60 approved public universities are actively operating. UGC Members Professor Dr. Masuma Habib and Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Chowdhury attended as special guests. UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam delivered the welcome address, while Deputy Director Md. Emdadul Huq hosted the sessions. Registrars and Finance Directors from 30 public universities participated, with technical sessions led by Professor Dr. Md. Aslam Hossain, Md. Emdadul Huq, and Md. Hafizur Rahman.
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