Dhaka: University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed has directed the relevant authorities to take necessary steps to bring audit objections at public universities down to zero. He urged universities to gradually settle outstanding audit objections and take effective measures to prevent new ones from arising.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the UGC chairman made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing the inaugural session of a day-long workshop titled 'Budget Formulation and Implementation in Public Universities' at the UGC auditorium. Emphasising the need for financial discipline, Professor Mamun said the number of audit objections has been increasing every year at most public universities, with the growth this year higher than in the previous year. He said such objections create a public perception that government funds are not being used properly.
"Our decision at this moment is that we aim to reach a state of zero audit objections," he said. The UGC chairman acknowledged that it would not be possible to resolve all long-standing objections overnight. He called for a gradual reduction of existing objections while ensuring that no new ones are created. He identified failure to properly follow the Public Procurement Rules (PPR) and financial regulations as major causes of audit objections.
Officials and staff involved in procurement should be properly trained in PPR, he said, adding that the UGC would provide assistance if necessary. He also stressed the importance of complying with financial management rules. The government makes the laws and regulations, while universities implement them; the UGC mainly works as a coordinator between the government and universities.
"We do not wish to impose new rules on the universities. We aim to foster coordination between the government and the universities to prevent any duplication of efforts or conflicts. University autonomy will be preserved, while government laws and regulations will also be duly observed," he said. The UGC chairman also stressed the need to follow rules on recruitment, promotion and restructuring of organisational structures.
He said efforts are under way to address complications arising from past irregularities within the existing legal and regulatory framework. At the same time, universities must ensure that no new irregularities occur. Professor Mamun urged universities to assess their staffing needs carefully and submit proposals supported by reliable data.
He pointed to a case where a university received approval to recruit staff in 2023 but did not make the appointments in 2024, 2025 or 2026. "This indicates a flaw in the initial assessment of requirements," he said. "We want to cooperate. If you submit logical proposals backed by appropriate data, the Commission will implement them promptly," he added.
Referring to the UGC's strategic plan for transforming higher education, Professor Mamun said implementation of the plan may require funding beyond existing budgetary and development allocations. He stressed that transparency in financial and administrative systems must therefore be ensured.
"Ensuring transparency will build trust in universities among the government, society and the state. Funding will then cease to be a major issue. It is not enough for us to merely earn this trust; we must also make that trust visible to the public," he said. He also announced plans to hold regular high-level discussions and share government rules and regulations with officials responsible for administrative and financial management at universities.
The UGC is also working to establish digital connectivity with every university, he said. Existing software systems will be reviewed and necessary features will be added. UGC Member Professor Dr Md Aslam Hossain presided over the workshop.