Dhaka: University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Faiz today affirmed that complete transparency and accountability are being maintained in evaluating the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project. He made this assertion during the signing ceremony of the sub-project selection process and the implementation of the HEAT project at the UGC auditorium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Professor Faiz emphasized that the UGC has taken comprehensive measures to ensure transparency and accountability in evaluating the various sub-projects under HEAT. He mentioned that he personally oversees each step of the project evaluation process. Dr. Faiz, who previously served as the Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University and Chairman of the Public Service Commission, called for constructive criticism from journalists and stakeholders in higher education.
Dr. Faiz stated that sub-project proposals for the HEAT project cannot be submitted individually but must be approved by the academic committee and vice-chancellor of the respective universities. He clarified that the UGC does not consider the political ideology of applicants when selecting project proposals. Instead, impartial reviewers and qualified university teachers and researchers evaluate the projects, prioritizing the interests of the country and the nation.
The event was attended by UGC members including Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Professor Dr. Md Saidur Rahman, Professor Dr. Machuma Habib, and Professor Dr. Mohammad Ayub Islam. HEAT Project Director Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman provided insights into the progress of the project implementation and the sub-project selection process.
UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, department heads, and relevant officials from HEAT and UGC were also present at the press conference. It was noted that agreements for the implementation of 151 selected sub-projects will be signed between the UGC and universities tomorrow. The five-year HEAT project, aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education in Bangladesh, is estimated to cost Taka 4,016 crore 57 lakh. The Bangladesh government will cover 50.96 percent of the total project cost, while the World Bank will fund the remaining 49.4 percent.
The project encompasses the development of a market-based curriculum, improvement of higher education quality, enhancement of digital connectivity in educational institutions, establishment of teacher training systems and academies, capacity building of BDREN, acceleration of the Bangladesh Accreditation Council's activities, establishment of an innovation lab, and the launch of innovative projects for competitive research.