The University Grants Commission (UGC) has suggested that work on university development projects be started and completed within the stipulated time, to get out of the cycle of increasing time and cost.
In addition, it will strengthen integrated financial policy formulation, pre-audit and monitoring cells in order to reduce audit objections in public universities to zero.
These were the statements at the inaugural function of a day-long training on 'Audit Planning and Implementation' of public universities at UGC on Monday.
The commission’s Member Prof Dr Dil Afroza Begum spoke as the chief guest at the event presided by Member Prof Dr Md Abu Taher.
Speakers laid emphasis on the time and cost of development projects that increase due to untimely completion in most of the public universities. Besides, the audit is facing objections for the increase in expenditure due to lack of proper financial discipline.
Speaking as the chief guest, Dil Afroza Begum said development projects in most public universities are not completed on time. As a result, with the extension of the project duration, the cost also increases. She then advised the university authorities to finish project works before the deadline to ensure proper use of funds.
Noting that a huge sum of money is left unspent every year due to misuse of funds allocated in the revenue budget, she said “UGC's audit monitoring cell will be strengthened to reduce audit objections to zero by establishing financial discipline in public universities.”
Meanwhile, in his presidential speech, Prof Abu Taher said transparency and accountability must be ensured at any cost in the financial expenditure of the public university. Nowhere does the law of public universities state financial autonomy. Appropriate action will be taken against those who bypass the existing laws and regulations and provide facilities outside the rules, subject to investigation.
He then advised the audit cell of the university to work independently to carry out audit of intellectual property carefully and to reduce expenditure in the development budget.
Commission Member Prof Md Sazzad Hossain, Prof Dr Muhammad Alamgir, Prof Biswajit Chanda and UGC Director General of the Audit Department for Education, Culture and Religion AHM Shamsur Rahman spoke as special guests at the ceremony.
The inauguration ceremony was conducted by UGC Finance and Accounts Department’s Deputy Director Md Mostafizur Rahman while UGC Secretary (additional responsibility) Ferdous Zaman delivered the welcome address.
The ceremony was attended by UGC Heads of Department, and Finance and Accounts Department officials. The heads of the audit cell of the country's public universities and concerned officials were also present.
