DHAKA : Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon has asked to revise the Development Project Proposal (DPP) of the ongoing Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project by incorporating the current priorities of the government to improve the quality of higher education.
He gave the directive while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop on mid-term review of the HEAT project at the UGC building here today, said a press release.
University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed presided over the function.
The minister said, “In the current global and domestic context, some components of this project are no longer relevant. Therefore, the DPP must be revised promptly by incorporating the government’s priorities to ensure quality higher education.”
He laid special emphasis on ensuring proper and economical use of the project funds.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the progress of the project implementation, the minister said, “Although only two years remain for the project, progress so far is just 5 percent. We have very limited time. The project must be successfully completed by December 2028. The ministry will extend all-out cooperation in this regard, but the pace of work must be accelerated immediately.”
Referring to the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to reduce expenditure in development projects and ensure rationality of costs, the minister said the allocated funds of the HEAT project must be utilized for the real development of higher education.
Professor Mamun Ahmed said despite a delay start, the project would be completed within the stipulated time by ensuring achievement of specific targets.
He further said, “Through the HEAT project, opportunities will be created to connect with international standard in research. Priority will be given to joint research and strengthening linkages between universities and industries and business institutions.”
Ministry of Education’s Additional Secretary Dr. Sardar Md. Keramat Ali and Senior Education Specialist and Task Team Leader of the World Bank T M Asaduzzaman spoke as special guests at the event. Director of the HEAT project Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman delivered the welcome address.
Senior officials of the UGC and different universities were present.
