University students will soon receive financial grants and seed funding to turn their innovative ideas into startup businesses and job opportunities, University Grants Commission (UGC) Member Professor Abdullah-al-Mamun has announced.
He urged students to shift away from asking “Where will I get a job?” and instead ask “What problem can I solve, what product or service can I create, and how can I generate employment?”
The UGC member made these remarks at a seminar titled “UGC-Academia Collaboration: Policies of the Present Government and Bangladesh University Grants Commission, and Position of Dhaka University” at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on Thursday.
He said competitive “seed funding” or ‘innovation grants’ will be awarded directly at the university level to nurture campus-based innovators and entrepreneurs.
To further support student enterprise, plans are underway to establish an “Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development” alongside a dedicated “Science Park.”
Outlining key allocations for startups and creative ventures, Mamun highlighted a proposed Tk500 crore startup fund and an initial Tk300 crore for the creative economy sector in the proposed budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
He added that plans are also in place to raise an additional Tk500 crore for the creative economy through Bangladesh Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sector.
Emphasising technology and creative industries, Mamun stressed strengthening university-industry connections in information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and creative sectors.
Linking university research with industrial demands will allow new technologies, products, and services to be developed and commercialised through joint research, industry-funded projects, joint laboratories, and dedicated R&D activities.
He noted that the core progression must move from research to innovation, from innovation to prototype products, from prototypes to commercialisation, and ultimately to employment creation.
To align education with changing labour market requirements, initiatives are underway to introduce compulsory internships and apprenticeship programmes, modernise industry-demand-based curricula, and establish effective Career Centres across universities.
Mamun proposed involving industry experts in curriculum development, guest teaching, consultancy, and project supervision, alongside compulsory third-language learning to expand international employment prospects, a commitment pledged in the government’s electoral manifesto.
An initiative is also being taken under state patronage to unite Bangladeshi scientists working in science, technology, and AI research at home and abroad on a single platform.
Underscoring that universities are not merely degree-awarding institutions, Mamun said their key responsibility is to apply knowledge creation, research, and innovation to solve real social and economic challenges.
He noted that joint initiatives between the government and UGC spanning research funding, technology transfer, innovation, and entrepreneurship development are underway, with UGC funding for such collaboration currently under process.
Mamun emphasised expanding university ties beyond large corporations to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), technology firms, startups, and creative industries, adding that an “Academia-Industry Collaboration Day” will be observed in the final week of November to strengthen partnerships.
The seminar was attended by University of Dhaka Vice-Chancellor Professor ABM Obaidul Islam as chief guest, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Mohammad Almojaddedi Alfesani and Treasurer Professor M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury as special guests, while Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Abdus Salam presided over the session.
