UGC chairman urges impartial research proposal evaluation

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed has urged evaluators to assess research proposals solely on their relevance and quality, without considering any influence or pressure.

He made the remarks at a discussion on “Criteria for Sub-Project Evaluation” at the National Science and Technology Complex on Wednesday. Evaluators of research sub-projects under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project attended the event.

Prof Mamun said applicants sometimes contact evaluators after learning that they have been assigned to assess their proposals.

He said evaluators were selected through multiple stages to ensure transparency and impartiality, while their responsibilities are kept confidential until the evaluation begins to reduce unwanted communication.

“Evaluate project proposals solely on their merit and relevance—nothing more, nothing less,” he said, stressing merit, quality, relevance and potential outcomes.

He also urged evaluators to prioritise research that can benefit people.

UGC member Prof Dr Md Aslam Hossain and HEAT Project Director Dr Asaduzzaman also spoke at the event.

-AJM