Bangladesh faces an accountability issue rather than a funding problem in its higher education sector. Despite significant financial investments in public universities and research institutions annually, the responsibility for educational outcomes remains unclear. Questions arise about the accountability of universities for student learning, students for utilizing subsidized education, and the research system for addressing national challenges. Currently, accountability is lacking across the board.
Recent discussions sparked by the prime minister’s visit to Dhaka University and a minister’s controversial remark comparing the university to a coaching center have highlighted widespread frustrations among Bangladeshis. To address these challenges, a new social contract for higher education is needed. This contract would establish clear responsibilities and tie public investment to tangible results.
Public university students in Bangladesh receive heavily taxpayer-funded education, yet this fact often goes unnoticed. A proposed reform suggests providing every student with a formal higher education scholarship, maintaining state financing while making the funding process transparent. This model would link funding to student progression, incentivizing universities to prioritize teaching quality and student success over mere expansion.
The scholarship model focuses on teaching costs, while infrastructure and strategic development funding would continue through government grants. To enhance research capabilities, a national research council similar to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is proposed. This council would centralize research funding, promote collaboration among institutions, and align research efforts with national priorities.
Additionally, the reform emphasizes the need to cultivate a research culture within universities by investing in staff development and involving students in research activities. A performance-based funding system is suggested to evaluate teaching quality, student progress, research output, and alignment with national goals every five to seven years. Institutions meeting criteria would receive additional support, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
The proposed reforms aim to address the existing disconnect between funding streams and outcomes in Bangladesh’s higher education sector. By establishing transparent accountability measures and aligning investments with performance, the system can enhance learning quality, research relevance, and institutional leadership without necessarily increasing costs. This new social contract would clarify responsibilities, ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently, universities perform effectively, students value their education, and research contributes meaningfully to national development. The government’s role would remain pivotal in overseeing these reforms, promoting transparency and productivity in the higher education sector.
