RAJSHAHI UNIVERSITY, May 25: Teachers of Rajshahi University (RU) are showing reluctance to take on research projects due to various complications.
However, they have cited several reasons, including the administration's failure in providing necessary research equipment and complications in bill collection, as reasons for their unwillingness.
Previously, a shortfall in the research budget was blamed for this reluctance. However, a significant portion of the allocated funds is now being returned to the University Grants Commission (UGC) each year due to non-expenditure on research.
According to the latest UGC report published in February this year, an allocation of Tk 100 million (10 crore) was given for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Out of the five financial years from 2017-18 to 2021-22, RU only spent more than its research allocation in the 2019-20 fiscal year.
In the remaining four financial years, 40-70 per cent of the money was unspent.
In the financial year 2017-18, the total allocation for the research sector was Tk 42.5 million (4.25 crore), while the university spent around Tk 12.5 million (1.25 crore), leaving about 70.38 per cent unspent.
In the financial year 2018-19, the allocation was Tk 47 million (4.7 crore), with an actual expenditure of Tk 20 million (2 crore), resulting in 57.52 per cent of the funds being unspent.
In the fiscal year 2020-21, the allocation was Tk 5 crore, with an expenditure of Tk 27.2 million (2.72 crore), leaving 45.59 per cent unspent. In the fiscal year 2021-22, the allocation was Tk 80 million (8 crore), with an expenditure of Tk 46.3 million (4.64 crore), leaving 41.90 per cent unspent.
Professor Saleh Hasan Naqeeb of the Physics department said, "Those who apply for the project only do the research work. But it is complicated to prepare all the documents along with the paperwork."
Professor Khaled Hossain of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology expressed his concern, saying, "Interest in our research is decreasing, but it cannot be denied that there is a problem with the bill vouchers as well. This is a minor problem; a separate department working on it would have made the process easier."
Researchers propose that all research project activities be implemented under the supervision of a professor. If approved, the funds would be transferred directly to the researcher's account through this cell, allowing teachers to devote more time to research and ensuring transparency.
Professor Dr Md Sultan-ul-Islam, pro-vice chancellor of the university, said, "We will consult with the UGC and the education ministry if necessary to solve the problems. We will try to simplify the process as much as possible."
He emphasized that a teacher's work involves both teaching and research.
"There is no alternative to research, but it is alarming that the interest of teachers in the research fields is constantly decreasing. Efficient and complete management is essential, and one must never give up," he added.
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