The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), an autonomous public multi-disciplinary organisation, has secured the 94th position among 174 research organisations of the world.
The ranking was unveiled in the “2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report” by the University of Pennsylvania's Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP). TTCSP examines the evolving role and character of public policy research organisations.
As per the ranking, BIDS has ranked the highest among 46 think tanks of the country in the 2020 Top Think Tanks Worldwide (US and non-US) list. Last year, the organisation ranked 104.
BIDS has also ranked 17th and 23rd respectively in the “2020 Top Think Tanks in South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific (excluding India)” and “2020 Top International Development Policy Think Tanks” rankings.
Director General of BIDS Dr. Khan Ahmed Sayeed Murshid spoke to The Financial Express about the accolade, “This is indeed a major achievement made possible by a much greater focus on international journal publications, and channelling of our research focus to meet that goal.”
He also spoke about the presence of BIDS in the international arena. He explained, “BIDS' research capacity has also improved considerably in the last few years. Our researchers have also been active in global platforms.”
The Director General also shed light on the government’s support for policy research. “One must also acknowledge government support for research, and in particular, a large grant made available by the Planning Ministry to support policy research, which I believe has had a significant impact on our performance”, he said.
As the centenary of the birth of the father of the nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is being celebrated this year, Murshid said that this is their contribution to the Mujib Shotoborsho.
The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) had its origin in Pakistan, named as the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and established in June 1957.
Currently, BIDS conducts policy-oriented research on development issues facing Bangladesh and other developing countries.
