Dr Salehuddin Ahmed
Adviser, ministries of Finance, Science & Technology
Our research and innovation must align with the country's national development priorities, as scientific progress and technological application will soon determine the foundation of our economic competitiveness. We are entering an era where scientific advancement and technology will be the key determinants of economic strength.
To ensure that research and development (R&D) gain proper market access, we must build an effective bridge between laboratories and industries. Every taka invested by the government in research and development should contribute to productivity, job creation, and sustainable development.
The initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Science and Technology to strengthen research-industry collaboration are timely. However, both policy and financial support are essential to make them successful. Government investments in research must generate tangible outcomes, driving productivity, employment, and sustainability. Therefore, enhancing connectivity among research, innovation, and industry through well-coordinated initiatives, supported by appropriate incentives, is crucial.
A number of our diaspora scientists have already expressed their willingness to serve the country in any way possible. They seek opportunities to contribute to their motherland's development - not for financial gain, but for a sense of honour and responsibility.
The government has several research organisations, but many are yet to deliver impactful results. Unfortunately, a number of local scientists in these organisations prefer to go abroad for academic publications rather than applying their knowledge for societal benefit. I tried to discourage such practices, but my efforts were not entirely successful.
Research often fails to reach the market due to a lack of industry feedback. We want to ensure that our R&D activities are commercially viable and have real economic impact.
Researchers should focus more on innovation and applied research to ensure their work benefits society directly.
Md Mahbubur Rahman
Secretary, Ministry of Commerce
After graduation, the pharmaceutical industry will face challenges related to patent issues. Considering this, our entrepreneurs are seeking a delay in graduation and an extension of the TRIPS transition period.
We are performing relatively well in agricultural and nuclear medicine research.
Some of our students and individuals have produced excellent research and inventions, but due to a lack of attention and support, these research outcomes are not reaching the market.
We need to expand research opportunities at BCSIR and in various university laboratories to ensure these innovations can contribute to national development.
Md Anwar Hossain
Secretary, Ministry Science & Technology
We aim to build a bridge among industry, academia, and research to bring research outcomes to the market. The nations that have adopted this triple helix model have used it as a catalyst for their development.
However, our allocation for research and development remains far below the global average - even lower than that of many African countries. Moreover, our private sector has shown little attention to this area and lacks any significant collaboration with universities on research initiatives.
Our ministry is no longer confined to framing science-related policies; rather, it now serves as a catalyst for business competitiveness, export diversification, and innovation-driven growth. Our goal is to transform research into economic strength and make innovation a part of everyday life.
Recently, the ministry has undertaken several initiatives, including opening government laboratories and equipment to private researchers, launching joint research and fellowship programmes with the private sector, and planning to organise an 'Innovation Fair' in February 2026 to encourage local innovators.
Through these initiatives, we aim to establish a global network with diaspora scientists and create a dedicated cell for frontier industries to work on emerging technologies.
Dr. M Masrur Reaz
Chairman, Policy Exchange Bangladesh
The private sector could take the lead in this direction, as the country's economy is largely driven by private enterprise. To successfully overcome the challenges associated with LDC graduation, Bangladesh must improve its competitiveness through innovation.
Data from various organisations show that Bangladesh still significantly lags behind in competitiveness in areas such as investment, trade, innovation, and innovation partnerships. To address this, the country needs integrated innovation through research, in close collaboration with the industrial sector. Such efforts would lead to greater employment generation within the private sector.
Bangladesh's budget for research and innovation remains lower than that of most countries. The country has no alternative but to improve its competitiveness - and this will not be possible without increasing allocations for research and development. Innovation capability has become a critical factor for progress. To overcome this challenge, we need stronger university-industry partnerships for joint research and collaboration.
Knowledge and technology sharing, as well as shared laboratory facilities, are essential components of this effort. Additionally, funding and resource sharing are needed to develop innovation clusters that can foster new entrepreneurs.
Md. Mazibur Rahman
Chairman, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission
Individuals in the country are overly focused on personal achievements rather than team-building. We need to forge collaboration among academia, industry, and government in conducting research for national economic development. Research should not rely solely on state funding. In the European Union, many industries finance research themselves.
Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez)
President, Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI)
University students are brilliant and eager to explore opportunities, but they are often deprived due to the lack of willingness from the university authorities. Building a strong link between academia and industry would help create a sustainable platform for new innovations. Innovation is now the key tool for ensuring sustainability and competitiveness.
Some may think that businesses are not willing to invest in innovation. But I am confident that our business community is ready to provide funding. After all, most major global innovations have been driven by private sector investment. That is the reality.
Abdul Muktadir
President, BAPI
Science and technology should receive greater attention due to their national relevance. In our childhood, science education was a top priority, but today, science education in Bangladesh is being neglected. Considering the country's development interests, we need to change the national perception of science education.
Business operates on honesty and commitment, but we are still lagging behind in this regard. Often, reasons are given to justify avoiding commitments, even though fulfilling them is a rigorous obligation.
Agricultural research in Bangladesh is progressing well. The Ministry of Agriculture could encourage researchers to develop varieties of date palms that produce abundant date palm sap, which could help substitute approximately 2.5 million tonnes of sugar imports annually.
Asian quality standards are generally low and require improvement. For this, metrology development must be aligned with global standards. The mind-set of officials in government research and analytical institutions needs reform. At times, they refuse to engage with the private sector, which hinders progress.
The government could create internships and fellowship programmes for research students in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies to ensure continuity and long-term impact. If government research institutes allowed students to conduct the 14 tests required by the pharmaceutical industry, private sector companies would be willing to provide support.
Dr. Shamina Ahmed
Chairman, BCSIR
Professor Z. N. Tahmida Begum
Ex-Chairperson, Bangladesh Public Service Commission
Research should be multidisciplinary. However, in Bangladesh, we often observe that research is conducted primarily to achieve publication in journals or professional promotion - objectives that rarely address national needs. Research and innovation should be aligned with national interests. Findings should also be disseminated through two to three national dailies to reach a wider audience and promote public awareness.
There is also a lack of proper follow-up on the research grants provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology to undergraduate students. The government could consider introducing a loan scheme for research and innovation to encourage more applied and impactful work.
To ensure market access for research outcomes and innovations, the government may establish a National Innovation Council that brings universities and industries together under one umbrella.
Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury
Pro-Vice Chancellor, BUET
The government needs to place greater emphasis on promoting STEM education. Our national standards should be aligned with international standards, and BSTI should set these standards while taking into account the country's ground realities.
Our education budget should be increased to at least 5 per cent of the GDP, up from the current level of less than 1 per cent. Otherwise, innovation will remain confined to discussion tables instead of becoming a driver of real progress.
Dr. Saiful Islam
Vice Chancellor, AIUB
The government needs to develop a database to identify who has which capacity; otherwise, our knowledge and expertise will remain underutilised. Our research should be focused on addressing national priorities and needs. All government-funded research outcomes should be reviewed regularly, and respective ministries should follow up on their implementation and impact.
Prof M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury
Treasurer, Dhaka University
Nearly 30 per cent of our students come from poor families, about 10 per cent of them from extreme poverty. Many of them skip meals every day, yet we have no student protection mechanisms in place. These students have the potential to study at institutions like Harvard or MIT, and their knowledge could one day change the world, if they receive the necessary support. Allocating Tk 10 billion for research should not be a major challenge for the government.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will transform the world within the next five years, but we are not prepared. China is already in a leadership position in this field.
Engr. Rabiul Alam
Chairman, Energypac Power Generation Ltd
The Commerce Ministry should provide guidance on which products are being imported so that local industries can identify investment opportunities in those areas. These industries could then collaborate with academia to develop such products, promoting the vision of "Made in Bangladesh."
To achieve the "Made in Bangladesh" goal, BSTI needs to play a greater role, as it is the government body responsible for setting standards. However, its national committee holds only one meeting a year, which is quite disappointing. Most of our laboratories lack accreditation. The Bangladesh Accreditation Board should take proactive measures to address the issue.
The current policy for using the BSTI mark and logo also discourages industrial development, as it requires companies to pay 1-2 per cent of their total turnover. In contrast, when exporting to India, certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) involves only travel allowance (TA), daily allowance (DA), and testing laboratory expenses.
In Bangladesh, even when my products are tested using my own machines in my lab, BSTI still charges fees based on total turnover, which is unreasonable. The Standardisation Committee and the National Committee should include more university faculty members. The government should actively seek input from university academics to help realise the dream of "Made in Bangladesh."
Moynul Islam
President, Bangladesh Ceramics Manufacturers & Exporters Association
Saifur Rahman
Chairman, SKB Stainless Steel Mills Ltd.
We have the potential to achieve numerous innovations. If the country adopts the China model to promote "Made in Bangladesh" initiatives, it will become much easier to exploit this potential. There are several sunset industries in China that Bangladesh could take over and develop further.
Even in electric vehicle (EV) technology, Bangladesh has significant opportunities to perform better, if the government takes the initiative in collaboration with the private sector. In China, many industries have developed under such collaborative models, which also generate substantial revenue for the government through royalties and profit sharing.
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Among others, who spoke at the event were Professor MD Abul Kashem Mia, Vice Chancellor at UIU, Professor M Rafiqul Islam, Vice Chancellor at IUT, Dr Khandoker Md Nahian Mamun, Chairperson at the Department of Marketing and International Business at NSU, Mohammad Hasan Arif, Vice-Chairman at EPB, and Colonel Syed Rashedul Haque, Head of IPE Department at MIST.