Staff Correspondent

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has allocated Tk1,200 crore for the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project, aiming to enhance research quality and elevate universities in global rankings.

Academicians and researchers believe that the project will play a crucial role in achieving these goals.

The remarks were made during a workshop titled "Sub-project Proposal Formulation Strategy of Academic Transformation Fund," held at the UGC on Thursday.

UGC Member Prof Md Saidur Rahman attended the event as a special guest while Director of the HEAT Project Prof Asaduzzaman was in the chair.

The cost of the five-year HEAT project is estimated at Tk4,016.57 crore, with the Government of Bangladesh contributing 50.96% and the World Bank 49.04%.

In his address, Prof Saidur Rahman stressed the need for writing project proposals properly, stating that good research outcomes are contingent upon clear goals and objectives.

Strong research would enable universities to secure better positions in international rankings, he noted.

Addressing the event, Prof Asaduzzaman said the biggest component of the HEAT project is the Academic Transformation Fund (ATF). Under this, about Tk1200 crore have been allocated for conducting research. Initiatives are being taken to invite project proposals on a competitive basis to implement all research projects that benefit the people of the country.

This initiative will bring major changes in the research and innovation sector of the country and will play an important role in improving the quality of higher education and research, he added.

The workshop was attended by Khulna University Vice Chancellor Prof Md Rezaul Karim, PSC Member Prof M Sohel Rahman, Project Director of the Improving Computer and Software Engineering Tertiary Education Project Prof Md Aminul Haque Akand, UGC Director Mohammad Maksudur Rahman Bhuiyan, and World Bank Representative Ashabur Rahman.