Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has a new chairman following the resignation of Professor Dr S M A Faiz. His successor is Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, the current Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka.
The announcement was made on Monday, 16 March, during a press conference at the Ministry of Education by Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon. The minister confirmed that Professor Dr Faiz had submitted his resignation citing health reasons, expressing his inability to continue in the demanding role of UGC chairman.
Professor Dr Faiz formally submitted his resignation to the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education earlier in the day. Both the Ministry and UGC sources have confirmed the development.
Profile of Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed
Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed joined the University of Dhaka as Pro-Vice-Chancellor on 12 September 2024. He is a distinguished academic in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He was appointed to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor position for a four-year term by President and Vice-Chancellor Md. Sahabuddin. His tenure at UGC begins before the completion of his term at the university.
| Position | Institution | Tenure/Appointment Date |
|---|---|---|
| UGC Chairman | University Grants Commission | 16 March 2026 – Present |
| Pro-Vice-Chancellor | University of Dhaka | 12 September 2024 – Present |
| Professor (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology) | University of Dhaka | Ongoing |
Career Highlights of Professor Dr S M A Faiz
Professor Dr Faiz has had a long and distinguished career in higher education administration. He served as the 26th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka in 2002 during the BNP-led coalition government. Appointed temporarily on 23 September 2002 by then-President and Vice-Chancellor Dr Iaj Uddin Ahmed, he completed a six-year tenure as Vice-Chancellor.
Earlier, he also held the position of the sixth chairman of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission, serving from 7 March 1993 to 5 March 1998. His leadership in both UGC and the Public Service Commission has been recognised as instrumental in shaping higher education and public service administration in Bangladesh.
Looking Ahead
With Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed at the helm, UGC is expected to pursue initiatives for quality enhancement in higher education, strengthening research capacities, and ensuring universities align with international academic standards. His extensive academic and administrative experience positions him to steer UGC through a transformative period aimed at advancing Bangladesh’s higher education sector.
This leadership transition marks a significant moment in the country’s educational administration, combining decades of experience with renewed focus on institutional excellence.