M M Jasim :
Spending on research work at many public and private universities has become virtually closed though research is a must for quality higher education, according to the University Grants Commission (UGC).
A total of record 37 public and private universities spent no money on research in 2014, which was 19 in 2013, 15 in 2012, and 13 in 2010. According to the public and private university Act, the universities are obliged to spend a significant portion of their annual allocation on research. But it is being neglected for some years. The UGC expressed deep concern about the research of some universities in its annual report, which was revealed recently.
The 27 private universities which spent nothing on research are Central Women’s University, Darul Ihsan University, European University, City University, Royal University, Eastern University, Sylhet International University, The People’s University of Bangladesh, BCG Trust University, Atish Dipankar Science and Technology University, Exim Bank Agricultural University, Eshakha International University, North Western University, Feni University, Britania University, Chittagong Independent University, Notordem University, Times University, North Bengal International University, Fareast International University, Rajshahi Science and Technology University, Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib University, Coxs Bazar International University, Randa Proshad Shaha University, German University, Global University and CCN Science and Technology University.
The 27 private universities, which spent nothing on research, are Islami University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Jagannath University, Sylhet Agricultural University, Pabna Science and Technology University, Bangladesh Textiles University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Maritime University, National university and Bangladesh Open University.
Chairman of UGC Professor Abdul Mannan said, it is obligatory for each university to spend a good portion of allocated money on research. But most of the institutions do not follow it. We cannot take any action against them as the UGC has no right to take stern action. The UGC can recommend only, he said.
Meanwhile, the country’s educationists expressed their unhappiness and said, there is no difference between an university and school if the university does not conduct any research. They said, the motto of the higher education is to generate new knowledge and not to provide degree only.
“It is disappointed and regrettable that an institution runs their academic activities in the name of the university, but does conduct any research,” they said.
The educationists also demanded punishment against those public and private universities, who did not run any research in 2014 contrary to the rules of the universities.
Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury of Dhaka University said, the task of an university is to deliver lecture and generate new knowledge. It is totally impossible to take easily that the university would not do any research in a year. There is no way to build new knowledge without research. The universities just do business in the name of the higher education, he said. Professor Syed Anwar Husain of History Department of Dhaka University told The New Nation that the purpose of the university is to generate new knowledge and to distribute it among the students so that they contribute to the world. Only research can generate new knowledge. But the research in universities is decreasing day by day which is unexpected, he said.
“There is no need to conduct research in kindergarten, primary and secondary school. But it is mandatory in all the universities. How will an institution be university without research?” Syed Anwar said.
