The University Grants Commission (UGC) has assured that academic freedom and autonomy of the country's universities will remain fully intact even as research budgets are implemented through the commission in line with a government decision.
UGC Chairman Mamun Ahmed gave the assurance while addressing an exchange meeting with the Association of Bangladesh University Council at the UGC auditorium on Thursday, held to discuss implementation of the research budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
He said a coordinated committee involving university representatives will be formed to ensure proper, effective and transparent use of the allocated research funds. "The UGC will also frame a clear policy for management and implementation of the research budget."
Speaking at the meeting, Association of Bangladesh University Council President Prof SM Abdur Razzak said allocating the research budget under the UGC code, instead of universities' own codes, created some administrative complications.
He, however, noted the need to balance the government's priority of advancing education and research with the universities' long-standing practice of autonomy.
Responding to the concern, Mamun said the research budget is being disbursed through a specific code as per government decision, and the UGC will implement it while ensuring an effective mechanism through regular discussions and coordination with the universities.
He disclosed that Tk 226 crore has been allocated for the research sector in the 2026-27 fiscal year, to be spent under three key sub-sectors.
Calls for research proposals at undergraduate, postgraduate, MPhil and PhD levels will be issued at the start of the fiscal year, with universities vetting proposals through their own institutional processes before sending them to the UGC. Funding decisions will then be made based on national priorities and the quality of research, he said.
The UGC chairman said fund disbursement processes for the new fiscal year have already begun, with research proposals set to be collected quickly and necessary funds released within two weeks of receiving proposals to avoid delays in research activities.
He assured that no university's allocation would decrease despite the funds being routed through the UGC; rather, universities stand to receive more funding compared to previous years. "Regional universities across the country will get equal opportunities in research allocation, with no discrimination."
Citing last fiscal year's figures, Mamun said around Tk 900 crore was allocated for research, of which public universities received about Tk 793 crore and private universities around Tk 56 crore, dismissing the notion that private universities are deprived of research funding.
He further said initiatives are underway to establish an integrated research ecosystem and a national research repository to ensure maximum effective use of allocated funds, which will help preserve research data, enable information sharing, and enhance the visibility of research at national and international levels.
UGC chairman added that significant funding for higher education and research development is also being channelled through UGC-implemented projects, including the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation project and the Improving Computer and Software Engineering Tertiary Education project.
UGC members Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Saidur Rahman, Masuma Habib, Mohammad Ayub Islam and Abdullah-Al-Mamun were present at the meeting, along with vice-chancellors or their nominated representatives from 45 public universities and concerned UGC officials.
Participants expressed hope that the new management system would ensure greater transparency, accountability and efficiency in research funding, and strengthen the overall research environment in the country's higher education sector.