Bangladesh Plans to Establish Postgraduate University to Enhance Research and Innovation

Education Minister A.N.M. Ehsanul Haque Milan announced on Saturday that the government plans to establish a postgraduate university modeled after advanced international institutions to bolster research and innovation within Bangladesh.

Speaking as the chief guest at the concluding session of a two-day “Vice-Chancellors’ Dialogue” held at BRAC CDM in Savar, the minister noted that while the nation has seen a proliferation of public and private universities, it currently lacks an institution dedicated exclusively to postgraduate studies. He emphasized that such specialized universities are common globally and serve as hubs for world-class research, attracting numerous Bangladeshi students seeking advanced degrees abroad.

The dialogue was organized under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project, currently being implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC). According to the minister, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed keen interest in the project as part of a broader commitment to human resource development.

Minister Milan stated that the government is prioritizing education by increasing the budget allocation, which has already been raised to 2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Plans are in place to increase this allocation to 3 percent next year, with an eventual goal of reaching 5 percent.

Addressing the need for structural reform in higher education, the minister directed universities to update their curricula to align with the demands of the modern job market. He added that the establishment of new academic departments should be contingent upon future employment trends and market needs. Furthermore, the minister instructed the UGC to identify underperforming private universities and expressed support for initiating PhD programs at institutions that demonstrate academic excellence.

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UGC Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed, who presided over the event, stated that the commission is actively working to elevate national higher education to international standards in line with government priorities. He noted that a five-year strategic plan to address challenges in the sector is currently being drafted and will be finalized following consultations with relevant stakeholders.

The second day of the dialogue featured four sessions focusing on curriculum reform, student support and employability, financial and procurement management, the role of the HEAT project in educational transformation, and strategic planning for higher education.

The event saw participation from various academic leaders, including Chittagong University Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Al-Forkan, Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Md. Faridul Islam, former Bangladesh Public Service Commission Chairman Professor Z.N. Tahmida Begum, and BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar. UGC members Professor Masuma Habib, Professor Abdullah Al-Mamun, Professor Md. Mehedi Hasan Khan, Professor Md. Aslam Hossain, and Professor Niaz Ahmed Chowdhury also participated as session chairs and discussants.