Dhaka: University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. Dr. SMA Faiz today called for a revision of the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project to enable consistent funding for uninterrupted broadband internet services at university residential halls. He emphasized the need for the project to be revised to include financial assistance and scholarships for poor meritorious students, particularly those residing off-campus. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Prof. Dr. SMA Faiz made these recommendations during a meeting with a six-member delegation from the World Bank at his office. He highlighted the importance of including off-campus students in the project to ensure they also receive financial grants. The chairman identified Dhaka University as a pilot project and pledged comprehensive support to implement the project and resolve related issues. During the meeting, UGC members Prof. Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan and Prof. Dr. M Anwar Hossen, UGC Secretary Dr. Mohammad Fakhrul Islam, and Directors Mohammad Maksudur Rahman Bhuiyan and Prof. Dr Asaduzzaman, among others, were present. The UGC is implementing the HEAT project to pursue essential reforms in higher education. These reforms include enhancing digital networks and resources, fostering innovation and patenting, ensuring quality assurance and accreditation, and providing competitive research grants to advance research, build competence in graduates, and improve teaching and learning environments and practices.
