The government is ready to provide the necessary funds for the development of higher education. However, public universities operate with taxpayers’ money. Therefore, every allocated fund must be spent based on actual needs, through proper planning and with transparency, said University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a day-long workshop titled “Budget Preparation and Implementation of Public Universities” at the UGC Auditorium on Thursday (September 17).

The UGC chairman said the commission has taken various initiatives to improve the quality of higher education, develop students into skilled human resources and prepare them for employment opportunities at home and abroad. Implementing these initiatives will require a significant amount of funding. He said universities may need more funds in the future than the amount they currently spend through their revenue and development budgets combined.

He said that when allocating funds based on the demands of universities, the actual necessity of the requested funds and the institutions’ capacity to use them properly must be taken into consideration. Similarly, the actual need and justification for requests for new personnel should also be properly assessed.

Calling on universities to uphold the trust and confidence placed in them, Professor Mamun Ahmed said the actual need must be properly assessed before requesting funds or additional manpower. Even after receiving an allocation or approval based on a demand, if it cannot be implemented within the stipulated time, questions may arise about the justification for that demand. Therefore, effective coordination among planning, budget preparation and implementation is essential.

Highlighting the UGC’s responsibilities, he said the government finances public universities, while the universities operate their academic activities as autonomous institutions. Ensuring that public funds are being used properly while preserving the institutional status and autonomy of universities is an important responsibility of the UGC.

He further said university funds are essentially taxpayers’ money. Public confidence and the government’s confidence must be strengthened by ensuring that the money is spent in the appropriate sectors, based on actual needs and with maximum efficiency. Transparency, accountability and good governance must be ensured in the use of public funds. Any lack of transparency in financial expenditure is unacceptable.

Speaking as the chair of the workshop, UGC Member Professor Dr. Md. Aslam Hossain said the government and the UGC have been taking various measures to advance higher education in the country. Efforts are continuing to implement the government’s commitments. He said, alongside ensuring proper use of public funds to meet public expectations, efforts must be made to further strengthen public confidence in the institutions.

He said ensuring transparency and accountability in the preparation and implementation of public university budgets is extremely important. The best possible use of allocated funds must be ensured through proper planning and efficient management.

UGC members Professor Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun, Professor Md. Mehedi Hasan Khan and Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Chowdhury attended the workshop as special guests. UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam delivered the welcome address.

The programme was moderated by Md. Hafizur Rahman, deputy director of the UGC’s Finance, Accounts and Budget Division.

Registrars, directors of finance and accounts departments, and other relevant officials from 29 public universities across the country participated in the day-long workshop.