Distinguished Panelists
- Secretary, FID, Rtn. Dr. Md. Matiur Rahman, Deputy Executive Director, TMSS Bangladesh, Mohammad Nominul Islam, Deputy Director, Pundra University, Prof. Dr. Shahidur Rahman, Professor, Jahangirnagar University, Imtiaz Islam, Co-Founder, Consultive, Sousan Saha, Youth Analyst, UNDP, S. M. Mujahidul Islam, Chairman, FBS, NU, National University, Belal Ahmed, Director, Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh, Dr. Tariqul Islam Chowdhury, Founder & Chairman, CEN University of Science & Tech. Comilla, Showkot, Hossain Monir, G.S., University of Global Village, Prof. Dr. Md. Ashraf Haque, VC, Ahsanullah University of Science & Technology, Prof. Dr. Golam Rahman, BoT Chairman, Chairman, BoT, Ahsanullah University of Sci & Tech., Chairman, USC, Prof. Dr. GKM Mustafizur Rahman, VC, VC, Gazipur Agriculture Univ., Prof. Dr. Umme Salma Zohora, Professor, Biotechnology & Genetic Engg. Dept., Dr. Md. Imran Chowdhury, Chairman, University of Global Village, Md Rashedur Rahman, Executive Director, ICE Center, University of Dhaka, Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman, Professor, Jagannath University, Dr. Mahmud Hossain, Professor, Biochemistry, University of Dhaka, K. M. Hasan, PhD, President, Trainers' Association, Amena Hasan Ana, Country Focal Point, CYFI, MD. KAISER BIN SIDDIQUE, Joint Director, TMSS Health Research Foundation
- Rakibul Islam, Assistant Professor, Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology, Saidpur,, Imran Hossain, Sr. Ad., UGC, M Maruf Alam James, Assistant Secretary, UGC, Dr S M Kamal Uddin, Associate Professor, Bangladesh University of Health Science, Md. Hassan Nirjhor, Sr. Officer, APUB, Dr. Md. Sajedul Hoque, Professor & Dean, Patuakhali Science & Technology University, Md. Mojibor Rahman, Chairman, USUS, Sadia Yesmin, MSc in Food Processing & Engineering, Chattogram Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Meher Nigar, Sr Reporter, Journalist, Jannatul, Assistant Prof. & Director of Research Hub, University of Global Village, Barishal, Abul Kalam, Staff Correspondent, Daily Economic Review, MD. Shahidul Islam, S.R., S.R. BD Business, Redwan Rana, DPM, Planning ministry, Nizam Sheikh, Assistant Account Officer, Daffodil Group Ltd.
Executive Summary
The session highlighted the need for universities to become an “innovation engine” by transforming research into real economic value rather than focusing solely on academic publications. Speakers emphasized strengthening industry–academia collaboration so that real-world industry challenges can inform university research, while also developing innovation and incubation hubs to support patents, prototypes, and university-based start-ups. They called for reforms to university Acts to enable teachers and students to establish spin-off companies and for faculty promotion criteria to recognize patents and commercialization alongside research publications. The discussion also stressed redesigning curricula with greater industry involvement through internships, industry visits, and part-time industry faculty. These efforts were framed within the government’s broader ambition to build a knowledge-based $3 trillion economy, with universities playing a central role in driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
Key Challenges
- Universities do research, but it rarely moves past the prototype stage into validation, investment, and the market.
- Weak coordination between industry, academia, and different government ministries.
- The National University's governing Act does not allow innovation-related activities, even though it covers 70% of student enrolment.
- Current law does not clearly allow university teachers to start spin-off companies.
- No dedicated training institute exists for university teachers, unlike schoolteachers.
- University budgeting and economic codes do not clearly support innovation hubs, making them hard to sustain.
- A skills gap: fresh graduates often lack practical, job-ready skills (for example, in ERP systems like Odoo, Oracle, and SAP).
- Efforts are fragmented. Some universities have technology transfer offices or incubation hubs but they are not run consistently.
Ideas and Solutions
- UGC to set a minimum "campus innovation capability framework" as a shared standard for all universities.
- Set up a single umbrella innovation/incubation office in every university, covering patenting, prototyping, and entrepreneurship support together, instead of scattered separate offices.
- Introduce a formal "Professor of Practice" role so industry experts can teach without being regular faculty.
- Allow qualified industry professionals to serve as part-time faculty.
- Give course credit waivers or a lighter teaching load to faculty who are actively doing research or building start-ups with students.
- Make industry involvement mandatory in curriculum design, including internships and regular industry–student meetups.
- Redirect a larger share of research funding toward need-based, joint academia–industry projects rather than purely academic research.
- Introduce micro-credit and certified courses aligned with industry needs, similar to models used in Malaysia.
- Form a high-powered inter-ministerial committee (UGC, Ministry of Science and Technology, ICT Division, Ministry of Education) meeting at least twice a year to coordinate policy.
- There was some disagreement on structure: one view favoured a single centralised mega-hub run by UGC, while another favoured decentralised, university-owned hubs with strong local ownership.
Examples Shared
- Malaysian Airlines and Universiti Malaya: when the airline faced a problem, the Prime Minister directly asked the university to solve it, leading to real industry-linked solutions.
- UNDP's Accelerator Labs, active in 91 countries, work with universities and communities to test and validate small-scale solutions.
- UNDP's Youth Co:Lab, running for 9 years across 50 countries, uses alumni networks to connect mentors and investors.
- Existing innovation hub efforts at Daffodil University and other institutions were mentioned, though their real impact is still being reviewed.
Recommendations
- UGC should formally establish a national innovation capability framework and minimum standards for all universities.
- Reform the National University Act and similar laws to allow innovation and entrepreneurship activities, and to permit faculty spin-offs.
- Recognise patents and commercialisation achievements within official faculty promotion criteria.
- Form a joint, high-powered committee across relevant ministries to coordinate policy and meet regularly.
- Officially approve and standardise the "Professor of Practice" role across universities.
- Prioritise 5–10 national research focus areas (for example, Agriculture, IT, Fintech) and assign lead universities to each.
- Build a structured teacher-training programme for university faculty, possibly through a public–private partnership.
- Link UGC research funds more directly to innovation and industry outcomes.
Follow-up / Commitments
- UGC Chairman indicated openness to a formal proposal recognising the "Professor of Practice" position across universities.
- UGC is redirecting a major share of its research funds toward need-based, industry-linked joint research projects.
- UGC is exploring whether innovation and industry linkage can be given more weight within its research funding.
- UGC plans to build a structured umbrella office for incubation and entrepreneurship in universities, with defined staffing and logistics.
- A proposal for a twice-yearly, high-powered inter-ministerial forum was raised for further consideration by the government.
At the End of the Session
Top message 1: Universities must add a "third mission" which is creating economic value alongside teaching and research.
Top message 2: Weak industry-academia coordination, outdated university laws, and a lack of incentives are the biggest barriers to turning research into real economic impact.
Top message 3: Structured, well-coordinated innovation hubs in every university, backed by policy reform on spin-offs, promotions, and funding, are the way forward.
One key recommendation: UGC should establish a national campus innovation capability framework, supported by an inter-ministerial coordination committee, so universities can build sustainable, industry-linked innovation hubs.
