ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY, Kushtia, Jan 28: Inadequate budgetary allocation for research activities is holding back advancement of Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia as one of the top state-run tertiary-level institutions.
It is the sorrowful reality that because of not having enough research activities, mainly due to dearth of funds, Islamic University is lagging behind in international ranking of universities as well.
IU teachers think that the biggest reason for its improper progress in education as well is also low-budget research
activities.
A university is measured by the following five criteria, including education, research, citation, international outlook, and industry income. But the horrible matter is that the teachers here feel dispirited about research work- only for unavailability of required fund. According to the campus sources, in the 2023-24 fiscal year, a budget amounting to
Tk19.9 million (Tk1.99 crore) was allocated for the university's research sector.
The budget is divided into two categories- general and special. In the general budget, Tk9.0million (Tk90 lakh) was approved, to be distributed among 62 teachers and 45 students.
On the other hand, Tk 19 million (Tk1.9 lakh) was approved under the special budget, to be allocated to 68 teachers. Again, in the 2024-25 fiscal year, a total research budget of Tk19 million (Tk1.90 crore) was allocated, which is Tk0.9 million less than that of the previous year. This year, a total of 50 teachers and 66 students were selected for the budget allocation.
Dr Md Abu
Hena Mostofa Jamal, professor of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Department, told The Financial Express, "The budget that is allocated for research is very low. This year, I have received a research budget of Tk127,000. Honestly, the prices of some required chemicals and laboratory equipment for research are more than this amount.
Research is very important for the development of a university and introducing it internationally. However, to continue my research activities, I, on my own, manage funds from various ministries and the UGC."
"Many of our university's faculty members have published their researches internationally, but it is not recorded with the UGC. For this, individuals and the administration concerned are responsible," he added.
Prof Dr MD Moniruzzaman, convener of the research committee of the university, told the FE, "We need a central research cell at our university where overall matters must be supervised. Again, research-based funds must be ensured for transparency. Besides, a professor is accountable for his/her research fund, which has been given to him/her for research."
"To represent a university on the global stage, research is one of the key requirements. At the same time, transparency in the university's research fund is more necessary, such as how much budget is allocated in a year and how much is spent. Additionally, research-related files
often face delays in clearance, which should be expedited," said Prof MD Moniruzzaman.
"According to the university's
policy, if a professor is given research fund in one year, they are not eligible for the same next year, which is highly undesirable. Moreover, while a professor is assessed and granted funding based on their research proposal, if they fail to complete the project within the stipulated time, they are not held accountable, which is needed to change, he added."
IU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah told the FE,
"The importance of research in universities is immense. I have told each and every faculty and its department about this matter. When they apply, we will form a research cell. After the July revolution, I joined here as a vice-chancellor. With everyone's cooperation, I aim to improve the campus overall.
Besides, I will try to send all publications to the wings concerned so that all can know about this."
"Although the university's research committee is changed every year, there won't be much change this year except for three or four members, and we will increase the amount of the research budget next year," he added.
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