Dhaka: A budget of Tk 1,354.5 million has been approved for Dhaka University (DU) for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26. DU Treasurer Professor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today revealed this at a press conference held at the Abdul Matin Virtual Classroom.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the budget was approved at the university's syndicate meeting on Monday (June 16). Out of the total budget, the University Grants Commission (UGC) will contribute Tk 8,834.4 crore. Additionally, Tk 900 crore will be sourced from the university's own resources, resulting in a deficit of Tk 624.1 crore.
An analysis of the budget indicates no significant changes across various sectors this year. However, allocations for salaries, allowances, and information technology have seen a slight decrease compared to the previous year. Conversely, there has been a slight increase in the budget for goods and transport, pensions, research grants, primary healthcare, and equipment grants.
In the 2024-25 session, Tk 20.7 crore was allocated for research, which has been marginally increased to Tk 21.57 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year, constituting only 2.08 percent of the total budget. Treasurer Jahangir Alam Chowdhury commented on the research budget, stating that Dhaka University lacks autonomy in budget formulation. "A certain amount of money is allocated from the University Grants Commission. We cannot go beyond it," he added.
Addressing the issue of increasing the university's internal expenditure, he mentioned, "We have no opportunity to increase our internal income. Until Dhaka University achieves financial independence, we will remain dependent on the government, and we will not have the opportunity to increase our quality."
For the 2025-26 fiscal year, 28.34 percent or Tk 293.5 crore of the budget is allocated for salaries, 20.84 percent or Tk 215.91 crore for allowances, 27.62 percent or Tk 285.98 crore for goods and services, and 13.41 percent or Tk 139.86 crore for pensions. University Accounts Director Saiful Islam was also present at the press conference.