BAEC roundtable urges autonomy, investment in nuclear science

A roundtable titled "Prospects, Challenges, and the Way Forward for the Development of Nuclear Science in Bangladesh" was held today at the Dr Anwar Hossain Auditorium of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) headquarters. Organised by the conscious scientific community in collaboration with the citizen-led initiative Bhabboboitiki, the event was convened amid rising concerns over instability in the country's nuclear research ecosystem.

Eminent philosopher, poet and writer Farhad Mazhar delivered the keynote address. Other panellists included Professor Kamrul Hasan Mamun from the Department of Physics, University of Dhaka, and Professor Md Jamal Uddin from the Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University.

The programme began with a welcome speech by Dr A S M Saifullah, Chief Scientific Officer of BAEC. This was followed by a keynote presentation by Dr Engr Sheikh Manzura Haque, also a Chief Scientific Officer at BAEC. The presentation outlined the vision behind BAEC's formation, its historical context, key achievements, ongoing challenges and possible future directions.

Speakers highlighted that nuclear science and technology in Bangladesh is a highly specialised domain requiring strategic foresight and operational independence. They expressed grave concern over increasing bureaucratic control, undue ministerial interference and a lack of institutional autonomy—factors they say are jeopardising both research quality and institutional integrity.

Moderated by Dr Faria Nasreen, former Director of BAEC's Biological Science Division, the discussion concluded with a series of urgent recommendations:

• A full-fledged commission, complete with a chairman and four appointed members, must be established. Interim appointments and partial governance must cease.
• The Ministry should limit itself to policy facilitation rather than direct administrative control, thereby restoring BAEC's statutory independence.
• BAEC should regain authority over higher education and training approvals, nominations and Government Orders (GOs).
• Financial autonomy must be ensured, including relief from obligatory Ministry-developed software that compromises data confidentiality.
• A rational pay structure and promotion policy, comparable to those at universities, must be implemented.
• As the owning body, BAEC should be a direct signatory to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
• All temporary positions should be regularised, with new career pathways and welfare benefits introduced—such as rations, vehicle monetisation, interest-free loans and housing schemes.
• All artificial constraints imposed by the Ministry must be removed to enable robust human resource development.
• The protocol rank of BAEC's chairman and members must be upgraded in the national Warrant of Precedence.
• Greater investment in science and nuclear research is essential, alongside policies that foster fundamental research and intellectual freedom.

Speakers warned that in the absence of a coherent national science policy, scientific progress is being stifled by bureaucratic inertia and short-sighted administrative practices. They stressed that science is not merely a technical discipline but a vital pursuit aligned with the nation's democratic values and public interest.

The roundtable aimed to critically evaluate the Atomic Energy Commission Act 2017 and its 2022 amendment in light of the Commission's current reality and the aspirations of its scientific workforce. Participants reiterated that science must be placed at the heart of national development through thoughtful reform and sincere policy engagement.