DU approves Tk1,035 crore budget for FY 2025-26

Dhaka University’s budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year has been approved at Tk 1,035.45 crore. Out of this total, only Tk 21.57 crore, approximately 2.08%, has been allocated for research. The budget was presented by the university’s Treasurer, Professor Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, during a press conference held on Tuesday (June 17) in a virtual classroom at the university’s administrative building.

The proposed budget was approved earlier on Monday at a meeting of the university’s highest policy-making body, the Syndicate. At the same meeting, the revised budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, amounting to Tk 993.93 crore, was also approved. The previous year’s research allocation was Tk 20.07 crore, so this year’s increase is only 0.16%.

Of the total budget for 2025-26, 28.34% or Tk 293.50 crore is allocated for salaries, 20.84% or Tk 215.91 crore for allowances, 27.62% or Tk 285.98 crore for goods and services, and 13.41% or Tk 139.86 crore for pensions.

The budget expects a grant of Tk 883.04 crore from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Tk 90 crore from the university’s own income, leaving a shortfall of about Tk 62.41 crore.

Regarding the low allocation for research, the Treasurer said, “Dhaka University does not have freedom in budgeting. The UGC decides the amount to allocate, and even if we want, we cannot go beyond that.” He added that he has proposed an increase in research funding to the Chief Adviser and has been instructed to submit it formally.

Due to internal administrative problems, the Senate session, which usually approves the budget after the Syndicate’s approval, has become uncertain this year. Instead, the Treasurer presented the budget at the press conference.

He explained that the term of 25 teacher representatives in the Senate ended on June 15. Many of the 35 registered graduates are known as supporters of fascism. Also, the government has not yet nominated any representatives. Because of these administrative complications, holding the Senate session on time was not possible.