The senate of Jahangirnagar University (JU) on Friday approved its proposed annual budget of Tk 259.97 crore for the 2019-20 fiscal year, keeping a small allocation of Tk 3 crore for research projects. Although the amount is 0.05 per cent higher than that of last year’s revised budget, teachers and students see it as ‘insignificant’. They said the low allocation will narrow the quality and scope of research activities.   

However, the amount for students scholarship and fellowship has been dropped Tk 2.98 crore to Tk 2.88 crore. Terming the allocation inadequate, Prof Anu Muhammad of Economics department said that both teachers and students need fund for research.

“This is the sign of state’s character as the total accurate budgets in education sector are relatively decreasing. As a result, universities are tuning into commercialisation, not doing research,” he added.   

The budget was passed at the senate meeting presided over by Vice- Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam. Treasurer Sheikh Md Monzurul Huq presented the budget at the meeting attended by senate members and journalists. The university will earn Tk 25.50 crore from its internal sources while the rest amount will come from the University Grants Commission. The budget showed a deficit of Tk 10.50 crore.

Like previous years, the major portion of the budget, 32.87 per cent or Tk 85.45 crore, would be spent for salaries, allowances of teachers and employees. Pro-VC (academic) Prof Nurul Alam and Pro-VC (administration) Prof Amir Hussain thanked the guests and senate members for their participation. The last year’s revised budget was Tk 253.63 crore.