Public universities in Bangladesh, such as the University of Dhaka, face challenges in effectively allocating research funds to faculty members for impactful research endeavors. With an annual research budget of Tk 1 lakh per researcher, the current system may not be conducive to fostering high-quality, collaborative research output. Reports indicate that the University of Dhaka allocated Tk 21.57 crore for research among over 2,000 teachers in the previous budget cycle, maintaining the average research allocation per faculty at Tk 1 lakh. This year’s university-level budget figures are not yet public, but the national budget proposal consolidates Tk 200 crore of university research funds into a single UGC fund, suggesting a continuation of the traditional allocation approach.
While centralizing the research fund may streamline administrative processes, it does not address the underlying issue of promoting substantial and sustained research efforts. The current distribution model, spreading funds equally across faculty members, may inadvertently treat research allocations as mere supplements to salaries rather than strategic investments in knowledge creation. A more effective strategy could involve earmarking a portion of the budget, approximately Tk 11.5 crore, to support ten structured overseas doctoral partnerships. These partnerships, valued at around Tk 1.1 to Tk 1.2 crore each, would cover tuition and living expenses for doctoral candidates over three years, with a focus on ensuring continued engagement with Bangladesh throughout the research process.
Additionally, allocating Tk 10 crore towards establishing an internal research grant program centered around a novel qualification, the Master of Research (MRes), could enhance research capacity within the university system. The MRes program, positioned between a master’s degree and a doctorate, emphasizes practical research skills development through a year-long research project. Under this model, faculty members with PhD qualifications would compete for internal research grants ranging from Tk 5 lakh to Tk 30 lakh, with successful projects recruiting MRes students through a competitive selection process. This approach aims to produce tangible research outputs, nurture early-career researchers, and enhance the overall research culture within universities.
By implementing these strategic initiatives, universities in Bangladesh have the potential to generate a significant number of original research projects, foster research-ready graduates, and enhance overall research productivity. The focus should be on prioritizing concentration and competition in research funding allocation to maximize the impact of available resources. This shift in approach, utilizing the consolidated UGC fund as a testing ground, could mark a pivotal step towards transforming the research landscape in Bangladesh.