Savar:The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced plans to support at least 3,000 university teachers in acquiring PhD degrees over the next five years, both domestically and internationally. This initiative aims to address the shortage of doctoral-level faculty and bolster research capabilities in higher education.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed stated that the commission will allocate Tk 1,200 crore in research grants through the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project to elevate research quality. He made these remarks at the conclusion of the 'Junior Faculty Professional Development Programme,' organized in collaboration with the British Council at BRAC CDM in Savar.
Dr. Mamun Ahmed highlighted the inadequate number of PhD-qualified teachers and skilled researchers to meet university needs. In response, the UGC has increased its PhD fellowships by 40 percent this year, with plans to raise them to 500 next year. He emphasized the importance of developing skilled researchers to enhance the quality of higher education and its global competitiveness.
Regarding the research grants, the UGC Chairman explained that the focus will be on the quality of research proposals, innovative ideas, and their potential to address real-life problems in Bangladesh. Both public and private university teachers can submit proposals, which will be selected through an impartial evaluation process.
The HEAT project also aims to provide professional development training to 5,000 university faculty members, from lecturers to professors. Special training programs for senior university administrators will focus on leadership, governance, and financial management. To sustain these efforts, the UGC plans to establish a Higher Education Training Academy in Gazipur and another training center outside Dhaka.
The training will include residential sessions for newly recruited teachers lasting three to six months, continuing even after the HEAT project concludes. These academies will also allow policymakers and industry leaders to engage with university teachers, facilitating better coordination between academia and industry.
HEAT Project Director Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman noted that the training aims to enhance professional excellence and leadership capacity among teachers, paving the way for necessary reforms in higher education. The recent six-day training program involved 22 teachers from various universities and was attended by officials from UGC and partners including the British Council.
The closing ceremony featured attendees such as British Council Bangladesh Deputy Director Maria Rahman, senior adviser at Advance HR Mark Philip, and HEAT Project Chief Programme Coordinator Professor Selina Jaman.