UGC Chief warns against opacity in university spending

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed has called for the highest level of transparency, accountability and good governance in the use of funds allocated to public universities.

“The government is ready to provide funding to improve the quality of higher education, develop students as skilled human resources and make them employable according to international standards,” he said.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a day-long workshop titled “Budget Formulation and Implementation of Public Universities” at the UGC Auditorium on Thursday.

In the future, universities would require more funds by combining revenue and development budgets, he said. However, allocations and new manpower should be based on actual needs and the capacity of the relevant areas to implement them, Mamun Ahmed said.

On the institutional status and autonomy of universities, the UGC chairman said that although universities operated with government funding, they conducted their academic activities autonomously. He warned that no form of opacity in expenditure would be acceptable.

UGC Member Professor Dr Md Aslam Hossain, who chaired the workshop, said proper planning and efficient management were essential to ensure the best possible use of allocated funds and implement the government’s commitment to advancing higher education.

UGC members Professor Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun, Professor Md Mehedi Hasan Khan and Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed addressed the programme as special guests.

UGC Secretary Dr Md Fakhrul Islam delivered the welcome address.
The day-long workshop was moderated by Md Hafizur Rahman, Deputy Director of the UGC Finance, Accounts and Budget Department.

Registrars, directors of finance and accounts departments and other relevant senior officials from 29 public universities across the country attended the workshop.