UGC Seeks Neutral Research Evaluation

Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed has called for research proposals to be assessed solely on their relevance, quality, merit and potential outcomes, without any influence, pressure or intervention. He said transparent and impartial evaluation is essential for building a credible research system in higher education and ensuring that research outcomes serve the country and society.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion titled ‘Introduction to Evaluation Criteria for Sub-Projects’ at the National Science and Technology Complex on Wednesday (September 30). The event was organised under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project. Evaluators of the project’s research sub-projects attended the meeting.

Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed said proposal applicants sometimes call evaluators after learning that they have been assigned to assess their projects. Sharing his experience, he said such contact tends to occur when evaluators are informed about their assignments two or three days before the evaluation begins.

He said evaluators were selected through multiple stages to ensure neutrality and transparency in research project selection. At the same time, details of their specific responsibilities are kept confidential before the evaluation process begins. This has helped reduce opportunities for possible influence or unwanted communication, he added.

Addressing the evaluators, the UGC chairman said, “Evaluate project proposals solely on their relevance—nothing more, nothing less.” He urged them to give priority to merit, quality, relevance and potential outcomes when assessing research proposals.

Referring to various UGC initiatives to make research proposal evaluation more merit-based and credible, he said the commission would take any incident of influence, pressure or intervention in the evaluation process seriously. With the support of evaluators, the UGC wants to establish a transparent, impartial and merit-based research system at universities.

Describing research as one of the key foundations of higher education, Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed said research management and research practices must become more credible. It is essential to ensure that allocated research funds are spent properly and that research outcomes contribute to the welfare of the country, society and the state, he said.

He said the UGC and the government are jointly working to build an effective and sustainable research ecosystem in Bangladesh. Alongside improving research quality, he stressed the need to make research outcomes visible and usable.

The UGC chairman said progress on the sub-projects being implemented under the HEAT Project is being closely monitored. If delays, irregularities or serious problems are found in any sub-project, necessary strict action will be taken, he said. He urged researchers to complete project activities within the stipulated time and make their research outcomes visible.

Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed said, “Research is the lifeblood of a university. Research that benefits the people of the country must be prioritised. The outcomes of research conducted under the HEAT Project must also be made visible so that people develop a positive understanding of research and the benefits of public investment in this sector are clearly reflected.”

UGC Member Professor Dr Md Aslam Hossain and HEAT Project Director Dr Asaduzzaman also spoke at the meeting. Officials from the UGC and the HEAT Project were present.

//DBTech/MJR/SMP/BIS//