'Academia-Industry Collaboration Day' Announced for November; Seminar Held at Dhaka University
UGC Drives Academia-Industry Collaboration to Link University Research with Job Creation
- UGC outlines strategic policies to commercialize academic research, foster entrepreneurship, and update university curricula
- Initiatives include seed funding for student startups, establishing Science Parks, and introducing compulsory third-language training
- BDT 500 crore startup fund and BDT 300 crore creative economy allocation proposed in the 2026-27 fiscal budget
The Government of Bangladesh and the University Grants Commission (UGC) are prioritizing academia-industry collaboration to align university research with industrial needs, commercialization, and employment generation, stated UGC Member Professor Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun. He delivered the keynote address at a seminar titled "UGC-Academia Collaboration: Policies of the Present Government and UGC, and the Position of the University of Dhaka" held at DU's Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on Thursday (September 24).
Professor Mamun highlighted that the full continuum of research—from idea to prototype, commercialization, and eventual job creation—must define modern higher education. To strengthen this linkage, he announced that 'Academia-Industry Collaboration Day' will be observed in the last week of November. Key policy pushes include mandatory industry internships, curriculum updates tailored to market demands, seed funding, and innovation grants for campus entrepreneurs, alongside plans to establish an 'Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Institute' and a dedicated 'Science Park'.
Detailing financial mechanisms, Professor Mamun revealed that the proposed budget for FY 2026-27 includes BDT 500 crore for startup funds and BDT 300 crore for the creative economy, with plans to source an additional BDT 500 crore from Bangladesh Bank's CSR quota. Furthermore, the government aims to establish a unified platform to support Bangladeshi scientists at home and abroad, alongside implementing mandatory third-language learning to expand global career avenues for graduates.
Chaired by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam, the seminar was attended by DU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam as the chief guest. Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Dr. Mohammad Almojaddedi Alfehsani and Treasurer Prof. Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury spoke as special guests.
//DBTech/IHU/SME/CMP//
