Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has suggested universities across the country to take efficient steps for curbing unproductive expenses and bringing audit objections to zero.
These suggestions were made by the speakers at the inaugural function of a two-day workshop on ‘Budgeting and Implementation of Public Universities’ at UGC on Tuesday.
As the chief guest, UGC member Prof Dr Dil Afroza Begum said most of the universities in the country are facing audit objections for not following financial discipline. Therefore, she called for the introduction of automation system to reduce audit objections by establishing financial discipline.
She also urged all public universities to pay salaries and allowances in compliance with the provisions of the 'National Salary Scale-2015'.
Members of the commission Professor Sajjad Hossain, Professor Muhammad Alamgir and Professor Biswajit Chand were present at the workshop chaired by UGC member Prof Md Abu Taher. Meanwhile, UGC secretary (additional responsibilities) Ferdous Zaman spoke as the special guest.
Calling upon the universities to ensure utilization of the funds allocated for the productive sector including research and establishment of labs, Prof Abu Taher said, “Proposals for allocating funds to productive sectors such as research, lab development and information and technology will be accepted positively.”
He added the commission has always been discouraging budget allocations to unproductive sectors. All the universities in the country have been closed during Corona pandemic. But at this time there has been an unusual increase in food expenses and overtime allowances in some universities, which is undesirable.
Speakers at the event suggested maximum use of information and communication technology to ensure transparency and accountability in the university, improve the learning and research environment, increase the university's own income and reduce the hassles of pension receivers.
The workshop was conducted by UGC's senior assistant director of finance and accounting Hafizur Rahman and was attended by the heads of finance and accounting departments and budget officers of 25 public universities of the country.
