Research must power national progress

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has underscored the need to align research and innovation with Bangladesh's national development priorities, warning that the country's future competitiveness will hinge on scientific progress and technological application.

He urged closer cooperation among academia, industry and policymakers to ensure that research translates into real economic and social benefits rather than remaining confined to academic publications.

He was speaking at a roundtable titled "Research to Market: Strengthening Bangladesh's Innovation Ecosystem through Academia-Industry Research Partnerships" at a city hotel on Monday.

Dr Salehuddin said every taka invested in research and development (R&D) should contribute to productivity, job creation and sustainable growth.

"We are heading towards an era where scientific advancement and the application of technology will be the key determinants of economic strength," he said.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, with support from the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR).

Dr Salehuddin, who also oversees the Ministry of Science and Technology, highlighted the importance of building a strong bridge between laboratories and industries.

"Every taka invested by the government in research and development should contribute to productivity, job creation and sustainable development," he noted.

He added that while the ministry's recent initiatives to strengthen research-industry collaboration are commendable, both policy and financial backing are vital to ensure their success.

Diaspora scientists willing to serve Bangladesh

A number of Bangladeshi diaspora scientists are eager to serve the country, motivated by a sense of honour rather than financial gain, Dr Salehuddin revealed.

He pointed out that although the government has several research organisations, many are failing to deliver meaningful results. "Some local scientists are more focused on going abroad for publications rather than applying their knowledge for societal benefit," he said. "Such research often fails to reach the market due to a lack of industry feedback. We want to ensure our research and development activities achieve proper market access."

Referring to his attempts to discourage unnecessary foreign trips by researchers, he said, "I tried to prevent them from such tours, but it was not a successful move."

Dr Salehuddin, however, acknowledged the valuable contributions of domestic scientists in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and livestock.

"Many are working tirelessly, and as a result, we now have enough food for more than 180 million people, whereas once we struggled to feed only 75 million," he said.

The adviser admitted that policymakers have sometimes failed to disseminate research findings effectively at the field level, with reports often remaining confined to desks for years.

To address this, he urged stronger coordination among scientists, policymakers and research institutions, calling on researchers to prioritise innovation and applied research.

Drawing comparisons with the development trajectories of South Korea and Vietnam, he remarked: "Once they were not in a better position than Bangladesh, but they made remarkable progress through their own research and development."

The eminent economist encouraged local entrepreneurs to allocate funds for research and development in the national interest, even if such investments do not yield immediate personal returns.

"The government is keen to facilitate the private sector," he said. "Our goal is to make the country like Taiwan in terms of industrial development; to be like China is not our objective."

Questioning the need for foreign medical treatment, Dr Salehuddin added, "Why should we go to Bangkok or Singapore for healthcare when we already have enough medical colleges and universities in our own country?"

Speaking as special guest, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said the output of research in Bangladesh often fails to reach the market.

"Even when someone makes an invention, it is not given due importance. We need to expand research opportunities at BCSIR and in various university laboratories," he said.

Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain stated that the ministry is no longer limited to framing science-related policies but now acts as a catalyst for business competitiveness, export diversification and innovation-led growth.

"Our goal is to transform research into economic strength and make innovation part of daily life," he added.

The secretary outlined several recent initiatives, including opening government laboratories and equipment to private researchers, launching joint research and fellowship programmes with the private sector, and planning an Innovation Fair in February 2026 to promote local innovators.

"Through these initiatives, we aim to build a global network with diaspora scientists and establish a dedicated cell for frontier industries to explore new technologies," he said.

BCSIR Chairman Shamima Ahmed delivered the welcome address at the event. The Financial Express and The Daily Samakal were media partners.

Addressing the discussion as a panel speaker, Dr Masrur Reaz, Chairman of the research organisation Policy Exchange Bangladesh, said the country is now in the process of graduating from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) list.

To successfully navigate the post-graduation challenges, Bangladesh must enhance its competitiveness through innovation, he noted.

Citing data from various global organisations, the economist pointed out that Bangladesh still lags significantly in competitiveness across investment, trade, innovation, and partnership indicators.

To overcome these shortcomings, he emphasised the importance of integrated innovation through research in collaboration with the industrial sector.

Such initiatives, he added, would help create greater employment opportunities in the private sector. Dr Reaz also observed that Bangladesh's budget allocation for research and innovation remains far below that of most comparable countries.

Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), President of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), stressed that private sector involvement is essential for commercialising the research conducted by university teachers and students.

However, he said that despite his efforts over the past four years, he has been unable to establish a partnership with the University of Dhaka. Building a strong link between academia and industry, he argued, would create a sustainable platform for new innovations.

He also mentioned that the business community is ready to provide financial support for such collaboration.

Abdul Muktadir, Managing Director of Incepta Pharmaceuticals, remarked that education continues to be neglected in Bangladesh. He noted, however, that local pharmaceutical firms are actively engaged in research and innovation, which has enabled them to produce affordable medicines for diseases such as cancer and kidney disorders.

Md Mazibur Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, observed that individuals in the country tend to focus too much on personal achievements rather than team-building.

He underscored the importance of collaboration among academia, industry, and government in conducting research that supports national economic development. Research, he added, should not depend solely on state funding.

Drawing examples from abroad, he noted that in the European Union, many industries finance research independently.

Professor Z. N. Tahmida Begum, former Chairperson of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission, observed that research in Bangladesh is too often pursued merely for publication or academic promotion.

She also pointed out that the grants provided to undergraduate students by the Ministry of Science and Technology often lack proper follow-up. She stressed the need for multi-disciplinary research and suggested that research findings be disseminated through daily newspapers to reach a wider audience.

Among others who spoke at the event were Dr Saiful Islam, Vice Chancellor of AIUB; Dr Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, Pro-Vice Chancellor of BUET; Professor M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Treasurer of the University of Dhaka; and Engr Rabiul Alam, Chairman of Energypac Power Generation Ltd.

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