Bangladesh risks undermining its long-term development ambitions as enrolment in science education and the pace of research continue to fall at an alarming rate, the Education Adviser, Professor Chowdhury Rafiq-ul Abrar (C R Abrar), has warned. He stressed that without urgent corrective action, the country’s aspiration to build a sustainable, knowledge-based economy would face serious obstacles.
Speaking as the chief guest at a policy workshop held on Monday afternoon at the Secretariat, Professor Abrar said Bangladesh was standing at a critical crossroads. “We are living through a transitional period in which both enrolment in science education and the momentum of research are declining worryingly. This is not a healthy sign for any nation,” he remarked. According to him, science, technology and research must be placed at the centre of national priorities if Bangladesh is to meet future economic, technological and social challenges.
The workshop, organised by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, was titled Strengthening Research and Development to Meet National and Global Needs: Using Affordable and High-Technology Solutions. It brought together leading scientists, academics, policymakers and senior ministry officials to discuss the structural and financial constraints facing the country’s research ecosystem.
Keynote presentations were delivered by Professor Ferdousi Qadri, Emeritus Scientist of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, alongside researcher Abed Chowdhury and scientist Professor Mubarak Ahmad Khan. Their presentations highlighted gaps in research funding, limited institutional capacity and the need for long-term planning to nurture scientific talent.
Professor Abrar drew particular attention to bureaucratic delays that hamper research, especially in private universities that are otherwise active in scientific investigation. He noted that after receiving research grants, many institutions face prolonged delays in obtaining government clearances and approvals. “In many cases, it takes six to eight months before funds can actually be used. As a result, research money loses its effectiveness and promising projects are stalled halfway,” he said.
He argued that there should be no unnecessary discrimination between public and private universities in the management of research. While accountability must be ensured, he emphasised the importance of introducing a “fast-track system” for institutions that demonstrate responsible and transparent research practices.
The Education Adviser also expressed deep concern over Bangladesh’s low investment in research and development. At present, the country spends only about 0.3 per cent of its gross domestic product on research—far below regional and global benchmarks. This, he said, places Bangladesh behind not only many South Asian neighbours but also several least developed countries.
A comparative snapshot of research investment illustrates the gap:
| Country/Region | R&D Spending (% of GDP) |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 0.3% |
| South Asia (average) | ~0.7% |
| Developing countries (avg.) | 1.0–1.5% |
| Developed countries (avg.) | 2.0–3.0% |
Referring to Bangladesh’s graduation from least developed country (LDC) status, Professor Abrar pointed out that the state would soon have to shoulder nearly 90 per cent of expenditure in critical sectors such as vaccines and healthcare. “In this context, there is no alternative to sustained investment in science, research and specialised centres of excellence,” he said.
Participants at the workshop broadly agreed that reversing the decline in science education and research would require policy reform, increased funding, reduced bureaucratic hurdles and a research-friendly environment. Without decisive action now, they warned, Bangladesh’s ambition to compete in a knowledge-driven global economy could be severely compromised.