Out of 150 public and private universities in the country, 35 did not spend a single penny in the research sector in 2020. 44 universities have spent up to Tk 10 lakh. Multiple public universities also did no research other than a few publications throughout the year. However, last year, the country’s private universities are relatively ahead in research spending.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday (December 30th) handed over the 47th Annual Report to the Chancellor of the Universities, President Abdul Hamid. The UGC’s annual report, based on data from 2020, paints a picture of the plight of research.
The Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved a budget of Tk 8,465.12 crore for 47 public universities in the country in the 2020-2021 financial year. Of this, there is a revenue budget of Tk 5,454.12 crore and a development budget of Tk 3,031 crore in favor of 53 projects. This year’s budget allocation has been increased by 5 percent.
In 2020, educational activities were started in 47 public universities and 104 private universities. Of these, eight public universities and 26 private universities did not spend a single penny on research. The number of universities that have spent one lakh to five lakh Tk is 31, the number of universities that have spent five lakh to 10 lakh Tk is 13.
According to the UGC’s annual report, BRAC University spent the most on research in 2020, at Tk 55.23 crore. The number of their publications was 378. Among the public universities, Dhaka University has spent the most on research, Tk 6 crore 61 lakh. The number of their publications was 445.
In addition to BRAC University, a few other private universities have surpassed many old public universities in research. Of this, Daffodil International University has spent Tk 121.6 million, American International University Bangladesh Tk 93 million, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh Tk 83.7 million, and North South University Tk 617 million.
Former chairman of the University Grants Commission, Professor. AK Azad Chowdhury told the media that a university should focus on research. According to him, they should be planned. I gave the budget for the budget, then I spent it, so the research will not increase.