At a time when the per annum income of private universities is increasing, they are spending less and less every year on research which is considered the hallmark of quality higher-level education. The 41st annual report of University Grants Commission (2014) revealed that 22 out of 75 functional private universities did not spend a penny on research. However, per head student expenditure on education was the highest in some of these universities. For instance, the highest per head student expenditure was at EXIM Bank Agricultural University, Bangladesh (Tk. 9.50 lakh), followed by Ranada Prasad Saha University (Tk. 8.06 lakh), Cox’s Bazar International University (Tk 7.37 lakh) and Chittagong Independent University (Tk. 5.12 lakh).
In the 2013 report, 19 out of 68 universities did not spend anything on research. The same year however, Feni University recorded the highest per head student expenditure (Tk. 5.4 lakh), followed by Central Women’s University (Tk. 4.1 lakh), Port City International University (Tk. 2.36 lakh) and Hamdard University Bangladesh (Tk. 2.05 lakh).
According to UGC, per head student expenditure in universities is increasing every year owing to a variety of reasons such as varsities conducting academic activities in rented buildings or imposing all charges including infrastructural charges on students etc.
Although expenses per student are on the rise, nearly 31 universities do not have any publication of essays or periodicals. Even the number of books per student was not satisfactory in 2014. Such inadequate allocation for research is a hindrance for qualitative development of higher education, according to the commission. Leaving aside the 31, remaining universities spent a total of around Tk. 69.56 crore on research while average expenditure on research was Tk. 1.31 crore.
The Private University Act, 2010, warrants substantial expenditure on research by each university. However the likes of City University, Eastern University, Royal University of Dhaka, Sylhet International University, Central Women’s University, Peoples’ University of Bangladesh, BGC Trust University Chittagong, Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology, Darul Ihsan University, European University of Bangladesh, Ishakha International University, EXIM Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh, North Western University, Feni University, Britannia University, Chittagong Independent University, Notre Dame University Bangladesh, North Bengal International University, Fareast International University, Rajshahi Science and Technology University, Cox’s Bazar International University, Ranada Prasad Saha University, and Global University did not spend on research in 2014.
Interestingly, City University, Royal University of Dhaka, Sylhet International University, Central Women’s University, People’s University of Bangladesh, Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology, Darul Ihsan University, Ishakha International University, Feni University and Britannia University did not spend on research even the year before i.e. 2013.
On the other hand, BRAC University spent the highest amount on research in 2014 at Tk. 39.92 crore, with Independent University Bangladesh at second position with a research expenditure of Tk. 8.6 crore, and University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh at third position with a research expenditure of Tk. 4.38 crore. Khwaja Yunus Ali University spent the lowest amount of Tk. 13,000 on research in 2014.
In 2013, American International University was at second position with a research expenditure of Tk. 4 crore while University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh was at third position with a research expenditure of Tk. 2.25 crore.
Ironically, universities are not spending much on research but their incomes seem to increase every year. In 2014, earnings of North South University were the highest at Tk 218.55 crore, followed by American University at Tk 194.23cr and BRAC University at Tk 162.58cr. Vice Chancellors of some private universities that did not spend money on research said that while research is part and parcel of higher education, it needs huge investment. Meanwhile, Vice Chancellors of Sylhet International University and Exim Bank Agricultural University, Bangladesh, said the UGC report did not reflect correctly their expenses on research.
Acting Vice Chancellor of Sylhet International University, Prof Dr Susant Kumar Das, said, “We spent Tk. 9.80 lakh in 2014 but the report said we did not spend any money. This year too, we have an allocation of Tk 25 lakh for research. We will inform UGC about it.” He said a university was not only a place of learning but also a place for encouraging research. Honorary Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Durga Das Bhatacharjee said, “We are working on creating an environment for research works which requires much money. We hope that from next year, we will be able to start some work on research.”