Dhaka: The University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) has entered into research agreements totaling Tk 38.21 crore with 12 universities. These agreements aim to implement 20 sub-projects designed to advance Bangladesh’s information technology sector and enhance collaboration between industry and academia.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the agreements were formalized at the UGC office as part of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and government-funded Improving Computer and Software Engineering Tertiary Education Project (ICSETEP). The signing ceremony featured UGC Secretary Dr. Md Fakhrul Islam, alongside vice-chancellors of the participating universities and principal researchers.
UGC Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Faiz highlighted the significant impact of the research support on ICT development in his address at the event. He emphasized the importance of responsibly utilizing the allocated funds to contribute to building a “New Bangladesh.”
The agreements involve nine public and three private universities. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) secured the highest number of sub-projects with five. The University of Dhaka follows with three, while the University of Rajshahi and BRAC University each received two sub-projects.
The ICSETEP project spans five years and has an estimated total cost of around Tk 1,300 crore, with 87.72 percent of the funding provided by the Asian Development Bank.