Photo: Collected
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, Dhaka University has passed a budget of BDT 945 crore 15 lakh 45 thousand. Of this, 67% is allocated for salaries, allowances and pensions of the university's teachers, officers and employees.
In addition, Dhaka University Treasurer Professor Dr. Momtaz Uddin Ahmed presented a revised budget of BDT 973 crore 5 lakh 78 thousand for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
The session began at 3pm on Wednesday (June 26) at the Senate Bhaban with the National Anthem and religious rituals.
Afterwards, Senate Chairman and Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Dr. ASM Maksud Kamal, who was presiding over the session, delivered the address. Following this, Professor Momtaz Uddin Ahmed, Treasurer of the University, presented the budget for the 2024-2025 academic year of Dhaka University at the Senate session. This was his fourth time presenting the university's budget.
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, a budget of BDT 945 crore 15 lakh 45 thousand has been passed. Of this budget, BDT 804 crore 41 lakh will be received from the UGC.
The budget has estimated an internal revenue of BDT 90 crore. The expected revenue from internal sources is 9.52% of the projected expenditure. This will result in a deficit of BDT 50 crore 74 lakh 45 thousand, which is 5.37% of the projected expenditure. 67% of this year's total budget expenditure, amounting to BDT 633 crore 32 lakh, is allocated for salaries, allowances and pensions.
The revised budget for 2023-24 was BDT 776.68 crore. This year's budget is BDT 27.73 crore more than the revised budget. Although the size of Dhaka University has increased, the Treasurer expressed dissatisfaction that the University Grants Commission (UGC) is not increasing the grant proportionately.
The revised budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year of Dhaka University was BDT 891 crore 68 lakh, which included BDT 90 crore in internal revenue. This resulted in a deficit of BDT 81 crore 37 lakh 78 thousand, which was 8.36% of the total projected expenditure.
The Treasurer stated that the university is not a profitable entity, so it is not possible to cover the deficit from its own funds. He said that if there is a deficit every year, it will be difficult to achieve the university's goals and objectives.
The Treasurer suggested finding new sources of internal revenue or seeking special grants from the government. The budget allocated BDT 20 crore 5 lakh for research, which is 2.12% of the total expenditure and BDT 5 lakh for innovation. The Treasurer emphasized that in the current era, innovation is necessary for the university's survival, but achieving success in this area without significant funding is merely a daydream.
He further added, "There are more than 2,000 teachers working at the university. On average, only 1 lakh taka is allocated per person for research. Is it really possible to conduct major fundamental research with this amount of money? We often hear discussions about the university's ranking. To improve the ranking, it is necessary to increase various facilities and opportunities for research and innovation. I believe that if the budget allocation in this sector is increased significantly, we will get the desired results."
In his address, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Maksud Kamal said, "Relevant academic programs, research and innovation, industry-university relationship, collaboration and cooperation, automation and networking as well as international communication, integration and integrity, sustainability and leadership development are essential parts of world-class higher education.
Along with this, the learning environment for education and research, aesthetic infrastructure and scenic campus, environmental conservation, adequate extracurricular activities, modern library facilities, ICT infrastructure, etc. are closely related to quality higher education. For this purpose, considering the number of 40,000 students, more than 2,000 teachers and 6,000 officers and employees in various departments and institutes during the ongoing Fourth and upcoming Fifth Industrial Revolution, an Academic Development Plan (ADP) and a Physical Master Plan (PMP) have been formulated."
He further said, "The ADP and PMP have been proposed in line with the university's vision and mission. Short-term and long-term steps have been taken to implement these two plans. If the academic plan is implemented, this institution will be transformed into a higher research university by 2035, which will be an R2 university according to the Carnegie Classification. In this continuity, by 2045 it will be transformed into a research-focused university, which will be an R1 university according to the Carnegie Classification, believes the Vice-Chancellor.
It is noteworthy that the current position of Dhaka University is equivalent to an R3 university, meaning that teaching is given more importance here than research. During the implementation of the proposed academic plan, the number of students in many departments will be brought to a rational level. Some new departments will also be opened according to the needs of the time, informed Maksud Kamal.
The Senate members participated in the discussion on the Vice-Chancellor's address and the Treasurer's presented budget
Messenger/Sourov
