No publications in 13 Universities in the Country. Research activities are very important in improving the quality of higher education. However, the country’s universities are lagging behind in research and innovation. Although the universities of neighboring countries are far ahead, the situation in Bangladesh has not changed. Of the 53 public universities in the country, 13 have not yet been able to publish any research. About 174.5 million taka was allocated to these higher education institutions that year.
Recently, the University Grants Commission (UGC) published its annual report for 2023. It revealed such a poor state of the research sector in government universities. According to relevant sources, publications are understood to mean articles in journals, periodicals or any research papers.
According to the report, Jahangirnagar University is at the top of the list of non-publications. The university received 44.2 million taka in the research sector that year; Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology received 27.2 million taka, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology received 17.8 million taka, Jagannath University received 22.2 million taka, Sylhet Agricultural University received 25 million taka, Begum Rokeya University received 11.5 million taka, and Gopalganj University of Science and Technology received 10 million taka.
In addition, Bangladesh Textile University received 38 million taka, Barisal University received 66 million taka, Chittagong Medical University received 5 million taka, Rabindra University received 2 million taka, Khulna Agricultural University received 9 million taka, and Aviation and Aerospace University received 1 million taka.
When asked, UGC Public Relations and Right to Information Department Director Dr. AKM Shamsul Arefin said, “UGC had asked for this information, but it seems that the concerned parties have avoided the issues. If there is no publication, the university will lag behind in the rankings. Regular publication is very important for the rankings. More information can be obtained by talking to the universities concerned about the matter.”