UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed spoke at a review meeting for the second phase of the HEAT project. Photo: UGC

DHAKA, April 8, 2026 (BSS) –Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed today underscored the need for ensuring transparency in evaluating research proposals under the second phase of the “Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT)” project.

He made the directive at a review meeting with officials concerned and representatives of the World Bank, focusing on the project’s progress and implementation roadmap.

UGC Member Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, World Bank Senior Education Specialist and Task Team Leader T. M. Asaduzzaman, HEAT Project Director Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman and other officials from UGC, the World Bank and the project were present at the meeting.

UGC Chairman said the evaluation of research proposals under the Academic Transformation Fund (ATF) sub-project in the second phase must be carried out with utmost care, ensuring transparency and adherence to the stipulated timeline.

He also emphasized that the assessment process should take into account prevailing social, political and academic realities and warned against any scope for confusion or controversy.

Speaking at the meeting, World Bank representative Asaduzzaman said the first phase evaluation of ATF sub-project proposals was conducted in a highly transparent manner, adding that the experience is now being utilized in similar initiatives of the World Bank.

He expressed optimism that all activities of the HEAT project would be completed within the stipulated deadline of 2028 and sought continued support from the UGC chairman to achieve the target.

It was informed that research proposals for the second phase of the ATF sub-project have already been invited from university teachers and researchers, with the evaluation process expected to be completed by June this year.

Earlier, in August last year, the UGC signed agreements with 43 public and private universities to implement 151 sub-projects selected under the first phase.