Education Minister directs UGC to speed up HEAT project

The Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project, launched in 2023 by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to enhance the quality of higher education, has achieved only 5% progress nearly three years into implementation, despite a total allocation of Tk4,016.57 crore.

With the remaining 95% of work required to be completed within the next two years, concerns have grown over the project's slow execution.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress and directed authorities to speed up implementation while ensuring cost efficiency and sustainability.

He made the remarks while addressing a mid-term review workshop of the project at the UGC building today (30 April).

The minister said the project is crucial for improving higher education in the country and stressed that proper utilisation of funds must be ensured.

He also noted that some components of the project have become less relevant in the current context and called for revising the Development Project Proposal (DPP) to align it with government priorities in higher education.

Highlighting the delay, the minister said only 5% of the project has been completed despite nearly three years of implementation, adding that time is limited.

"We must speed up immediately. The project has to be completed by 2028, and the Education Ministry will provide full support," he said.

UGC Chairman Mamun Ahmed chaired the session, saying the project aims to be completed within the stipulated timeframe despite initial delays, stressing that achieving outcomes not just expenditure should be the key focus.

Officials from the Education Ministry, the World Bank, and other stakeholders were present at the event.

The HEAT project, supported by the World Bank, aims to strengthen research capacity, improve technological advancement, and enhance the overall quality of higher education in Bangladesh.