The authorities of public universities, some teachers and staffers have been found involved in wrongdoings in the development projects, said the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday.
"Investigation into these irregularities against the teachers is very unfortunate."
UGC member Prof Abu Taher said this while addressing a workshop as the chief guest on performance, preservation of evidence and sending it to the commission according to the annual performance agreement (APA) for the fiscal year 2022-2023 in public universities.
He suggested avoiding unnecessary construction on public university campuses to save general people's money.
The construction of public universities' academic, administrative, and residential buildings should be included in the Development Project Proposal (DPP) based on need and priority.
He alleged that project work is not completed on time in many universities. In this case, they repeatedly apply for a budget increase, causing government expenditures to shoot up.
Professor Taher added that UGC would strengthen supervision to complete these projects on time.
UGC Secretary Ferdous Zaman presided over the opening ceremony of the workshop.
Prof Taher said that many residential buildings and halls for teachers, officers, employees and students are being constructed in public universities under development projects.
But it has been seen on the ground that most of the flats in the multi-storied buildings built for teachers in some universities are empty. On the other hand, students are forced to live outside the campus due to the housing crisis.
Urging to beautify the design of the academic buildings of the newly-established public universities and to provide adequate light and airflow, he said that the classrooms of these universities are being built in such a way that AC is needed.
Regarding the repeated renovation of the internal roads of the university under the development project, Professor Taher said there are examples of many universities renovating the internal roads three times a year.
Ferdous Zaman said that development projects should be implemented with specific goals and on time.
"If the development project of the university is not implemented properly, the progress of the university and the country will be disrupted," he said.
UGC senior assistant director and APA focal point Md Golam Dastagir, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Focal Point of APA Noor-e Alam and Senior Assistant Director of UGC Rabiul Islam were present as discussants in the workshop.
Project directors of 15 public universities and concerned officials of UGC participated in the training.
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