bangladesh higher education quality enhancement … · 2018. 9. 11. · 1 bangladesh higher...

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BANGLADESH

HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT (HEQEP)

(Cr. No. 4544-BD, Cr. No. 5332-BD)

17th Implementation Support Review: July 10-19, 2018

AIDE MEMOIRE

I. INTRODUCTION

1. A World Bank team1 carried out the 17th implementation support review from July 10-19, 2018. The

objectives of the mission were to: (i) assess project achievements against project objectives (outputs and outcomes);

(ii) agree on an implementation plan for remaining project duration and (iii) agree on next steps for preparation of

the project completion and final evaluation. This Aide Memoire records the findings and recommendations and

reflects conclusions drawn from the meetings with the officials of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of

Ministry of Education (SHED/MoE), University Grants Commission (UGC), Economic Relations Division (ERD),

Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN) Trust, HEQEP Unit, universities and other stakeholders

(Annex 4). This Aide Memoire was discussed at a pre-wrap-up meeting on July 18, 2018 chaired by Prof. Abdul

Mannan, Chairperson UGC and at a wrap-up meeting on July 19, 2018 chaired by Mr. Sohorab Hossain, Secretary,

SHED/MoE. The Mission expresses its appreciation for the kind cooperation of the officials and representatives of

various concerned agencies. As agreed with the Government of Bangladesh during the wrap-up meeting, this Aide-

Memoire will be publicly disclosed.

II. KEY PROJECT DATA

Key Project Data

Board Approval

03/17/2009

Original Ln./Cr. Amt SDR 54.4 m

Effectiveness

05/13/2009

Revised Ln./Cr. Amt SDR 81.5 m

Original Closing Date 12/31/2013 Amount Disbursed (%)

(as of 18/07/2018)

93%

Revised Closing Date 12/31/2018 Summary Ratings** Last Now

Credit amount SDR 135.9 m PDO S S

MTR Date 07/31/2016 IP S S

Ratings: HS=Highly Satisfactory; S=Satisfactory; MS = Moderately Satisfactory; MU= Moderately Unsatisfactory;

U=Unsatisfactory; HU=Highly Unsatisfactory; NA=Not Applicable; NR=Not Rated.

** Ratings are subject to change upon the Bank management review.

III. ACHIEVEMENT OF DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

2. The main objective of the Project is to improve the quality and relevance of the teaching and research

environment in higher education institutions through encouraging both innovation and accountability within

1 The World Bank team comprised Messrs./Mmes: Mokhlesur Rahman (Sr. Operations Officer, Co-Task Team Leader), Shiro Nakata (Sr. Education

Economist, Co-Task Team Leader); Tashmina Rahman (Research Analyst); Muhammad Asahabur Rahman (Education Policy and Planning Consultant); Koen

Martijn Geven (Education Specialist); Mohammad Reaz Uddin Chowdhury (Sr. FM Specialist); Arafat Istiaque (Procurement Specialist); Nadia Sharmin (Sr. Environmental Specialist); Sabah Moyeen (Sr. Social Development). Mahtab Alam (Dhaka) supported the team on logistics. Sandra Alborta provided remote

support from Washington DC.

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universities and by enhancing the technical and institutional capacity of the higher education sector. The progress

towards achievement of PDO is satisfactory.

3. The PDO level indicator: All Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been either achieved or on-track:

(i) KPI 1 - the satisfaction levels of students, faculty and employers stand at 3.8, 4.1 and 3.9 (EOP target: 4.0, 4.0

and 4.2); (ii) KPI 2 – MOE and UGC has institutionalized the competitive funding mechanism for their Research

and Teaching & Learning funds drawing lessons from the Academic Innovation Fund (AIF) mechanism; (iii) KPI

3 – the data traffic volume has continued to increase to 1,116 TB (EOP target:100 TB); (iv) KPI 4 – the number of

beneficiaries is 564,615 (EOP target: 360,0000); (v) KPI 5 – 59 Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC)

completed self-assessment (SA) (EOP target:15). The updated Results Framework is in Annex 1 of this Aide-

Memoire.

4. Overall Implementation Status: The implementation progress is satisfactory. The project has made the

following progress: (i) 439 AIF sub-projects awarded of which 333 (76%) completed; (ii) eight Fabrication Labs

subprojects and another 86 subprojects awarded supplemental grants2 under Round 4; (iii) over 8,000 faculty and

university support staff received training3; (iv) BdREN connectivity has increased to 40 universities; (v) UDL

membership increased to 90 universities and institutions; (vi) 69 universities established IQACs and conducting

800 self-assessment (86% completed); and (vii) fiduciary oversight capacity continues to strengthen. Component-

wise progress is provided in Annex 3.

5. Disbursement: Overall disbursement is 93%. For FY2019, the remaining amount of US$ 14.1 million is

expected to be disbursed.

KEY POINTS DISCUSSED AND AGREED ACTIONS

Component 1 – Promoting Academic Innovation

6. Key issues discussed: (a) adjustment of advance and reconciliation of subproject accounts; (b) compilation

of subproject completion reports; and (c) completion of all the remaining AIF subprojects. It was agreed that the

UGC/HEQEPU would: (i) complete implementation of all the remaining subprojects by September 30, 2018; (ii)

cancel funds for those AIF Round 4 subprojects which do not expend 90% of budget by August 30, 2018; (iii)

publish the consolidated Project Completion Report and the AIF Subproject Directory for the Rounds 3 and 4

by November 30, 2018; and (iv) document the HEQEP achievements and publish it for wide dissemination.

Component 2 – Building Institutional Capacity

7. Improving the Strategic Capacity of UGC: The updated Strategic Plan for Higher Education 2018-2030

was approved by the Honorable Prime Minister on April 16, 2018. It was agreed that MOE/UGC would publish

the Strategic Plan for Higher Education (SPHE) 2018-2030 by August 30, 2018.

8. Higher Education Management and Information System (HEMIS): Web-based HEMIS has been

developed and operational. It was agreed the UGC/HEMIS would publish the UGC annual report 2017 by

November 30, 2018.

9. Intellectual Property (IP) Literacy: The Project has promoted innovation leading to patenting among the

higher education community. The university-industry collaboration has generated sixteen innovations that will be

2 38 new subprojects under Window 1 while another 48 subprojects received supplementary grants under Round 4. 3 These include training on proposal writing and evaluation, project management and monitoring, fiduciary aspects, Intellectual Property,

university-industry collaboration, and quality assurance mechanism

3

patented. One has already been submitted for USA patent and another six are expected to be submitted for national

patent. It was agreed that the IP attorney support will be required until submission of the patents.

Component 3 - Raising the Connectivity Capacity of the Higher Education Sector

10. Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN): Key issues discussed: (a) expansion of BdREN

membership to more institutions; and (b) transitioning the BdREN management to the Trust. It was agreed that

HEQEP would: (i) complete all procurement packages by November 30, 2018; (ii) operationalize campus

network by November 30, 2018; (iii) increase BdREN membership to at least 70 universities by October 31, 2018;

(iv) develop and share a contingency plan for BdREN by October 31, 2018; (v) procurement of additional

requirements for campus network project in 19 universities by September 30, 2018; and (vi) establishing BdREN

point of presence inside Ashuganj power station by September 30, 2018.

11. UGC Digital Library (UDL): Key issues discussed: (a) sustainability of UDL (b) new subscription to e-

journal publishers, and (c) expanding membership to more institutions. It was agreed that UGC would: (i) subscribe

new e-publishers by October 31, 2018; (ii) share a contingency plan for UDL operations by October 31, 2018;

and (iii) increase membership to at least another 30 tertiary and research institutions by November 30, 2018.

Component 4 – Establishment of Quality Assurance Mechanisms

12. Establishment of QA mechanism at the national level: Key issues discussed: (a) delays in the formation

of the Bangladesh Accreditation Council (BAC); and (ii) finalization of the National Qualification Framework

(NQF). It was agreed that: (i) MOE would activate the Council by appointing the key positions by September 30,

2018; and (ii) the draft NQF will be finalized by BAC by November 30, 2018.

13. Establishment of QA mechanism at the institutional level: The inclusion of IQACs in the organograms of

universities was discussed. It was agreed that UGC would by November 30, 2018: (i) create budget line for IQAC

at all public universities; (ii) re-appropriate the IQAC subprojects’ budget for ensuring complete utilization; and

(iii) IQACs will prepare a university level synthesis report and action plan based on the self-assessments.

Component 5 - Project Management, Communication, Monitoring and Evaluation

Project Management and Communication: The project management performance has been satisfactory. It was

agreed that UGC/HEQEPU would by November 30, 2018: (i) complete the remaining project work including

compilation of all subproject completion reports; (ii) organize an international workshop to showcase and

communicate the successes of HEQEP; (iii) organize a workshop on increasing BdREN and UDL membership

and sustainability of BdREN, UDL and QA; (iv) ensure utilization of all project funds; and (v) prepare draft

Project Completion Report in association with Implementation Monitoring Evaluation (IMED) of the Ministry

of Planning. In addition, it was agreed that HEQEP would share a plan of action for utilizing the remaining

project funds by July 31, 2018.

14. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): The M&E performance has been satisfactory. Key issues discussed:

(i) timely completion of the university tracer study and impact assessment; (ii) documentation of project results and

outcomes and (iii) support to HEQEP Implementation Completion Review. It was agreed that the project will: (i)

sign an agreement with Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) for undertaking Impact Assessment

study by July 31, 2018; (ii) prepare draft project completion report as per the IMED format by December 10,

2018; (iii) prepare the 17th Semi-Annual Report with further improved quality and share with World Bank by

November 30, 2018; and (iv) supervise and ensure quality of all on-going studies.

https://www.bdren.net.bd/

http://www.qau.gov.bd/

4

IV. FIDUCIARY AND SAFEGUARDS

15. Procurement Performance: The procurement performance has been moderately satisfactory. It was

agreed that HEQEP would: (i) complete and commission all procurement packages by November 30, 2018; (ii)

train all CPs about post project review findings and take corrective measure and (iii) all procurement progress will

be updated in STEP before project closing.

16. Financial Management: The FM performance has been moderately satisfactory. Key issues discussed: (a)

significant delays in submitting IUFRs; (b) un-documented expenditure and unadjusted advances; (c) stale cheques

(d) delays in finalizing internal audit report; and (e) pending audit observations. It was agreed that the project

would: (i) document the expenses and adjust advances by August 31, 2018; (ii) submit acceptable IUFRs by July

31, 2018; (iii) send a letter to the internal auditors on fee refunds by August 15, 2018; and (iv) allocate adequate

ADP to utilize the remaining unspent funds by September 2018.

Safeguards Status

17. Environment: The HEQEPU requires to carry out an environmental screening for new AIF subprojects

under Round 4. It was agreed that the UGC/HEQEPU would: (i) share the draft Environmental Screening Report

with the World Bank by July 31, 2018; and (ii) ensure the visibility of the Environmental Management

Framework on the UGC and the Project website by July 25, 2018.

18. Social Safeguards: The Project has planned for a third round of Satisfaction Survey which mainstreams

the citizens’ engagement requirement for all World Bank projects. It was agreed that the UGC/HEQEPU would:

(i) publish the final round satisfaction survey by October 31, 2018; and (ii) ensure the visibility of the Social

Safeguard Management Framework on the UGC and the Project website by July 25, 2018

Other Key Issues

19. HEQEP Implementation Completion and Results (ICR) report: With HEQEP closing in December

2018, the mission requested the Ministry of Education to initiate the preparation of the project completion report.

It was agreed that UGC/HEQEPU will: (i) prepare a draft project completion report by December 31, 2018; and

(ii) form a working group to support the ICR work of the World Bank by July 31, 2018.

20. Systems Approach for Better Results (SABER) Tertiary Education Report: The Government extended

support for the completion of the SABER TE report. The findings and recommendations of the SABER tertiary

education was presented to the higher education community by the World Bank on July 16, 2018.

21. Continuation of World Bank support for higher education: The Government has sent a request to the

World Bank for next generation higher education project on March 5, 2017 followed by a second request on October

15, 2017. The Bank education team has been in consultation with the Ministry of Education and relevant ministries

on the potential scope for the next generation higher education operation.

V. KEY AGREED ACTIONS

SN Key Action Responsibility Date

1. Establish the Bangladesh Accreditation Council MOE/UGC Sept 30, 2018

2. Allocate adequate ADP to utilize the remaining unspent

funds

MOE/UGC Sept 30, 2018

5

3. Share contingency plans for BdREN and UDL UGC/BdREN/UDL Oct 31, 2018

4. Complete all AIF subproject activities HEQEPU Oct 31, 2018

5. Complete all BdREN procurement packages UDL/HEQEPU Nov 30, 2018

6. Arrange International Workshop on HEQEP MOE/HEQEPU/UGC Nov 30, 2018

7. MoE will decide on critical staff to support the closing

of the project up to June 30, 2019.

MOE/UGC Nov 30, 2018

VI. PROPOSED TIMING OF NEXT MISSION

22. The next project implementation completion mission is scheduled to take place by December 2018.

LIST OF ANNEXES

Annex 1: Updated Results Framework

Annex 2: Detailed Agreed Implementation Plan (July - December 2018)

Annex 3: Component-wise Progress Status Annex 4: List of Persons Met and Institutions Visited

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Annex 1: REVISED PROJECT RESULT MATRIX (UPDATED AS OF JUNE 30, 2018)

BANGLADESH: HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

REVISED PROJECT RESULT MATRIX (UPDATED AS OF JUNE 30, 2018)

Project Development Objective (PDO): The development objective of the project is to improve the quality and relevance of the teaching and research environment in higher education institutions

through encouraging both innovation and accountability within universities and by enhancing the technical and institutional capacity of the higher education sector

PDO Level Results

Indicators

Co

re

U

O

M

Baseli

ne,

Origi

nal

(2009)

Baseline,

Updated,

Addition

al

Funding

(2013)

Target Values (Calendar Year) Frequency Data

Source/

Methodolo

gy

Resp

onsib

ility

for

Data

Colle

ction

Comments

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

1. Increased level of

satisfaction of students

and faculty staff

regarding the quality of

teaching and research

environment, and of

employers regarding the

relevance of teaching

and research programs

[%]

- five-point scale -

(a) Student Satisfaction

Surveys

(b) Faculty Satisfaction

Surveys

(c) Employer

Satisfaction Surveys

N

o

.

3.3

2.9

3.0

3.6 (9%)

3.8 (31%)

3.9(30%)

3.8 (15%)

3.9 (35%)

4.0 (33%)

4.0 (21%)

4.0 (38%)

4.2 (40%)

Satisfactio

n related

data will

be

collected

twice

during the

AF period

Sample

based

satisfaction

survey

HEQ

EPU

In addition to satisfaction,

employability of university

graduates will be monitored by

HEMIS and tracer studies.

Achievements

(as of June 2017)

3.8 (15%)

4.1 (41%)

3.9 (30%)

3.8 (15%)

4.1 (41%)

3.9 (30%)

3.8 (15%)

4.1 (41%)

3.9 (30%)

Findings from the Final

Satisfaction Survey of HEQEP

expected to be available by

August 2018.

2. All research and

teaching and learning

fund under UGC is

distributed using an

identified set of rules

based on transparency

and competition.

T

e

x

t

Fundi

ng is

not

compe

titive

UGC

commenc

es design

of

competitiv

e funding

Design

finalize

d

Revamped

competitive

funding

mechanism

implemented

Competiti

ve funding

mechanis

m is

institution

alized

Bi-annual Half-yearly

monitoring

report

HEQ

EPU

Improved competitive funding

model should include: (i)

publishing a call for proposals

on both UGC and MoE

websites and newspapers; (ii)

selecting proposals with

quantitatively measurable

selection criteria; and (iii)

7

publishing awarded proposals

on both UGC and MoE

websites.

Achievements

(as of June 2017)

Revamped

competitive

funding

mechanism

implemented

by UGC

Revamped

competitiv

e

funding

mechanis

m

Implement

ed.

Competiti

ve funding

mechanis

m is

institution

alized

Competiti

ve funding

mechanis

m is

institution

alized

UGC’s funding

mechanism revised

adopting AIF-like competitive

system,

and all formats for grant

allocations have been updated

to support competitive funding.

UGC posted a notice on this

matter to inform all

stakeholders of the process.

Additionally, MoE is

implementing the competitive

funding mechanism for

research grant allocation and

has developed a Policy for

guiding the process.

3. Monthly average

volume of inbound

education/ research data

traffic in BdREN.

T

B

- 10 TB 40 TB 60 TB 80 TB 90 TB 100 TB Bi-annual BdREN BdRE

N

Offic

e and

Calculated as the past

6-month average.

Baseline data for

2013 is for 6

universities

Achievements

(as of June 2017)

13.03 TB 476.03 TB 598.36 TB

1,116 TB

Monthly average volume for

June 2017-June 2018. The

usage increased substantially

due to progress of BdREN

establishment in 40

universities.

4. Number of direct

beneficiaries of the

project (of which

females [%])- Direct

beneficiaries defined by

students and teachers of

AIF subprojects and

BDREN

N

o

.

%

- 30,000

(28.5)

100,00

0

(28.5)

200,000

(28.5)

240,000

(28.5)

300,000

(28.5)

360,000

(28.5)

Bi-annual HEMIS HEQ

EPU

Direct beneficiaries defined by

students and teachers of AIF

subprojects and BdREN.

Percentage will be 20% in 2014

and increase by 10% every year

to reach 60% in 2018.

Achievements

(as of June 2017)

71,861 (33.1) 550,961

(36)

564,615

(35)

564,615

(35)

The number was calculated

including all students and

teachers benefitting from AIF

and BdREN (Source Annual

Report UGC, 2016)

8

5. Number of IQAC

established and produce

self-assessment based

on the established

framework

N

o

.

0 0 0 0 0 7 15 Bi- annual QAU HEQ

EPU

21 universities will be

supported in the first year. 30%

of them produce in 3 years,

70% will finish in 4 years.

Achievements

(as of June 2017)

0 0 12 59 69 IQACs were established

through 4 rounds and are set to

complete 810 number of SAs

by Dec 2018. SA is considered

to be completed by an IQAC

when the Improvement Plan is

submitted to UGC. As of June

2017, 59 IQACs completed at

least 1 SA.

6. Number of academic

publications produced

by beneficiaries of AIF

subprojects

N

o

65 75 100 120 130 150 Bi-annual Half-yearly

monitoring

report

HEQ

EPU

Master and doctor thesis,

journals with or without

referees, books and edited

volumes, academic conferences

will be counted. Students’ term

papers, professors’ consultancy

reports or non-academic work

is not counted. Round2 and

Round3 AIF publications

expected to emerge in 2015 and

2018.

Achievements

(as of June 2017)

178 224

248 274 Cumulative publication of R1-

59, R2-61, R3-128 and R4-26.

This indicator

updated with data

from Semi-annual

reports from the Subproject

Managers

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Intermediate Results and Indicators

Intermediate

Results

Indicators

Cor

e

UOM Baseline

Original

Project

Start

(2009)

Baseline,

Updated,

Additional

Funding

(2013)

Target Values Frequency Data Source/

Methodolog

y

Responsibilit

y for Data

Collection

Comments

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018


Teaching and

Learning

Percentage of

fund

utilization by

teaching and

learning sub-

projects

(Window 1)

1. Round 1

2. Round 2

3. Round 3

% 0 Round 1:

93%

Round 2:

33%

100

70

10

100

100

40

100

100

60

100

100

80

100

100

100


self-

reporting by

the PDs of

AIF sub-

projects

HEQEPU

and HEMIS

Achievement

s

(as of

December

2016)

R1: 94%

R2:89%

R3:2%

R1: 94%

R2:94%

R3:59%

R1:

100%

R2:

100%

R3:81%

R1: 100%

R2: 100%

R3:90%

R1: 100%

R2: 100%

R3: 100%

% of utilization on

total budget by

June,

2018

R1 completed; R2

completed; R3

completed)

Research

2. Percentage

of fund

utilization by

research sub-

projects

(Window 2)

1. Round 1

2. Round 2

3. Round 3

% 0 Round 1:

79%

Round 2:

33%

100

50

10

100

100

40

100

100

60

100

100

80

100

100

100


self-

reporting by

the PDs of

AIF sub-

projects

HEQEPU

and HEMIS

Achievement

s

(as of June

2017)

R1: 93%

R2: 82%

R3:2%

R1: 93%

R2: 88%

R3:44%

R1:

100%

R2:

100%

R3:69%

R1: 100%

R2: 100%

R3:94%

R1: 100%

R2: 100%

R3: 100%

% of utilization on

total budget by

June,

2017

R1 completed; R2

completed; R3

completed

10

3. Percentage

increase

(cumulative)i

n doctoral

level

enrollment

[%] under

AIF sub-

projects

% 0 41% 50 70 80 90 100 Bi-annual Half-yearly

self-

reporting by

the PDs of

AIF sub-

projects

HEQEPU

and HEMIS

Achievement

s

(as of June

2017)

88% 171% 268% 280% 346% Baseline in 2011:

44

This indicator

updated with data

from Semi-annual

reports from the

Subproject

Managers.

4. Percentage

of 39 eligible

universities

completed at

least one

self-

assessment

sub-project

[%]

% 0 10% 10 50 50 50 50 Bi-annual Half-yearly

self-

reporting by

the PDs of

AIF sub-

projects

HEQEPU

and HEMIS

Achievement

s

(as of June

2017)

38% 38 % 49% 92% As of Dec 2014, 15

universities

completed 25 SA

under AIF. Through

additional

financing, 69

universities are

undertaking SA

activities under QA

and their reports are

nearing completion.

As of June 2018, 36

eligible universities

completed at least 1

SA

11

5. The

mechanism

for

university-

industry

collaboration

piloted and

evaluated.

proces

s

OM

developed

OM

develop

ed

First round

of W4

selected

Second

round

of W4

selected

Third round

of W4

selected

A study

conducted to

assess the

effectiveness

of W4 in

establishing

U-I

collaborator


self-

reporting by

the PDs of

AIF sub-

projects

HEQEPU

Achievement

s

(as of June

2017)

First round

of W4

awarded

Second

round

of W4

awarded

Second

round of W4

awarded

Study firm

recruitment

is on-going

First round of W4

awarded to 5

subprojects; the

second round of

W4

awarded to 5

subprojects & there

are no option for

more round.


Sub-Component 2.1 – Improving the Strategic Capacity of UGC

6. National

HEMIS is in

place and

operational at

UGC

No. 0 Consultanc

y starting

HEMIS

design

complet

ed

1st round

of data

collection

completed

Annual

statistic

al

report

publish

ed

Annual

statistical

report

published

Annual

statistical

report

published


self-reporting

by the PDs of

AIF sub-

projects

HEQEPU

Achievement

s

(as of June

2017)

Data entry

of 1st

round data

collection

completed

and First

Statistical

Report

published

3rd

Statistic

al

Report

publish

ed.

Statistical

annual report

for 2016

published.

Statistical

annual report

for 2017

under

preparation.

Statistical reports

for 2013, 2014,

2015 and 2016 are

published in

website:

www.ugc_hemis.go

v.bd.

Annual report for

2017 expected to be

published by

December 31, 2018.

Sub-Component 2.2 – Strengthening the Institutional Capacity of Universities

7. Proportion

of

institutions

covered

under

awareness

% 0 100 100 100 100 100 100 Bi-annual Half-yearly

monitoring

report

HEQEPU

http://www.ugc_hemis.gov.bd/

http://www.ugc_hemis.gov.bd/

12

campaign

[%]

Achievement

s

(as of June

2017)

100 100 100 100

Component 3 – Raising the Connectivity Capacity of the Higher Education Sector

8. Number of

universities

(public and

private)

connected to

BdREN

No. 0 6 30 50 60 60 60 Bi-annual BdREN BdREN

Office and

UGC

Achievement

s

(as of June

2017)

38 36 38 40 UGC, MoE

dropped.

9. Number

(‘000) of

online

journal title

accessed and

downloaded

using UGC

Digital

Library on

average per

month)

No. 0 23 25 28 31 34 37 Bi-annual Half-yearly

monitoring

report

HEQEPU

Between Jul-Dec

2012,

140,000 articles

were

downloaded from

ACM,

Emerald, and

JSTOR. Targets

were set assuming

10% increase of use

annually.

Achievement

s

(as of June

2017)

12 13.8 12.6 13.2 21.1 25 Between Jan-May

2018, total of

123,561 e-journals

were downloaded

from 4 providers

(ACM, Emerald,

JSTOR and IEEE)

by member

institutions.

Component 4 – Quality Assurance

10. QA Unit

is fully

functional

and

operational

Process 0 0 QA Unit

establish

ed

- Draft

QF

develop

ed

QF finalized QA docs

finalized

Bi-annual UGC

13

Achievement

s

(as of June

2017)

QA Unit

established

QA

Unit

establis

hed

and

Draft

QF is

under

preparat

ion

QA Unit

established

and Draft QF

is under

preparation

QA Unit

established

and Draft QF

prepared

QAU established in

April 2014;

OMs for IQAC

developed.

On track to meet

the

target.

Component 5 – Project Management

Sub-Component 5.1 – Project Management Unit

11. HEQEP

Unit is fully

functional and

operational

0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Bi-annual HEQEPU Fully functional is

defined as follows:

Three out of

following four

indicators should be

met:

(1) Staffing (90%

of

HEQEPU staff are

in

place; (2)

Procurement (At

least 70% of the

procurement was

completed as

intended in the

procurement plan);

(3) M&E (At least

70% of the intended

reports published

and

activities

completed);

and (4) FM (Interim

Financial Report is

completed in time)

Achievements

(as of June

2017)

1 1 1 0 1

(4) is not fulfilled

Sub-Component 5.2 – Monitoring and Evaluation

14

12. Completion

of baseline

survey, follow-up

survey at mid-

term and end-line

survey, and tracer

studies.

proce

ss

0 2 2 3 3 4 5 Bi-

annual

HEQEPU

Achievements

(as of June 2017)

3 4 5 Completed 5 studies

- baseline survey,

follow up survey,

Interim Impact

Assessment Study,

MTR report, 1st

round tracer study.

Final Round

Satisfaction Survey

study expected to be

complete by August

2018; 2nd Tracer

study and Impact

assessment study in

progress and

expected to be

completed by Nov

2017.

15

Annex 2: Unit wise Activity Plan

Appendix 1: AIF Activity Plan (July - December 2018) Sl.

No

.

Topic Sub-Topic Description of

Activities/Tasks

Completion

Deadline By Whom Remarks

A.1 Round 2

Subprojects

completed

Report

(PCR)

1. Prepare database for

the remaining

completed subprojects Aug 30, 2018

HEQEPU

/UGC

Database for 84

out of 110

subprojects has

been completed

2. Provide database to

M&E unit for AIF

achievement reports

Sept 15, 2018 HEQEPU

A.2 Round 3 PCR

3. Collection of rest

of the PCRs of the

subprojects

Aug 16,

2018

HEQEPU

111 PCRs

out of 135

have been

received

4. Prepare database

for the completed

subprojects

Sept 30 2018

5. Provide database

to M&E unit for

AIF achievement

reports

Oct 15,

2018

A.3

Window 4

All

subpro

ject

s of

Win

dow

-4

6. International

training on IP for

the university

professors

Aug 30,

2018

HEQEPU

/UGC

Training

proposal will be

shared with IDA

in July/2018

7. Technical

support to W-4

subprojects

regarding IP

creation, assessing

innovation,

patenting and

commercialization

Dec 31, 2018

5 su

bpro

ject

s of

1st

phas

e

2 su

bpro

ject

s of

TT

O

8. Visit the activities

of sub projects Sept 30, 2018

Subproject

completion

date: September

2018 9. PCR Collection Oct 31,

2018

10. Provide

database to M&E

unit for AIF

achievement

reports

Nov 30,

2018

5 subp

roje

c

ts o

f

2nd

phas

e


of sub projects Nov 30,

2018

HEQEPU/UG

C

Subproject

Contact

period: Up to

16

Sl.

No

.

Topic Sub-Topic Description of

Activities/Tasks

Completion

Deadline By Whom Remarks

12. PCR Collection Nov 30, 2018

March 2019

Fab Lab


of sub projects Sept 30, 2018 HEQEPU

14. PCR Collection Oct 31,

2018 HEQEPU

15. Provide database

to M&E unit for AIF

achievement reports

Nov 15,

2018 HEQEPU

A.4 (1) W-1

(2) CPSF Round 4


of sub projects Sept 30, 2018 HEQEPU/UGC

(1) Completion

date of 38 W-1

subprojects:

September 2018

17. PCRs collection Oct 31,

2018 HEQEPU/UGC

Completion

date of

subprojects:

September 2018 18. Database

preparation Nov 15, 2018

A.5

International

Workshop

for

showcasing

AIF/HEQE

P

Activities

Round 1-

4 and

W-4 sub

projects

19. Organizing

International

workshop and

showcasing Nov 30,

2018 HEQEPU/UGC

Event

Management

Firm recruited

and proposal

initiated for the

consent of the

PM

A.6

University-

wise

Directory of

HEQEP

components

Round

1-4 and

W-4 sub

projects

20. Document and

draft a HEQEP

achievements book

highlighting

activities and

successes of all

components of

HEQEP

Nov 30,2018 HEQEPU/UGC

Around 65%

work is done

A.7

Workshop

on PCR

Writing

R-4, W-4

(including

Fab Lab,

TTO)

21. Organizing

Workshop on PCR

writing Aug 30, 2018 HEQEPU/UGC

17

Appendix 2: Activity Plan of Strategic Policy Unit (July -December 2018) Sl. Activity Responsibility Deadline

1. Print and distribute the book on “Strategic Plan for Higher

Education in Bangladesh: 2018-2030” (SPHE: 2018-2030) among

the stakeholders.

SPU/HEQEP/UGC Aug 31 2018

2. Assist the UGC and SHED to handover the book on SPHE:2018-

2030 to the Honorable Prime Minster at PMO.

SPU/HEQEP/UGC/S

HED

Aug 31 2018

3. Assist the UGC and SHED to form the National Level Committee

headed by the Secretary and UGC level Committee headed by the

Chairman, UGC as per provision of SPHE: 2018-2030.

SPU/HEQEP/UGC/S

HED

Sept 15 2018

4. Assist to hold the UGC level Committee meeting to formulate 5-

year Implementation Plan, Concept papers etc. to implement the

SPHE: 2018-2030.

SPU/HEQEP/UGC/

Committee

Nov 30, 2018

5. Prepare the Flyer of Brief on SPHE:2018-2030 or at a glance

Booklet on SPHE:2018-2030 and share with the World Bank.

SPU/HEQEP/UGC Aug 20, 2018

6. Finalize, Print and distribute the Flyer of Brief on SPHE:2018-

2030 or at a glance Booklet on SPHE:2018-2030 among the

stakeholders.

SPU/HEQEP/UGC Sept 30, 2018

7. Prepare the draft Concept paper on implementation of the Students

Loan Program as per provision of SPHE:2018-2030.

SPU/HEQEP/UGC Oct 15, 2018

8. Organize a workshop on draft Concept paper on implementation

of the Students Loan Program and finalize the draft Concept

Paper.

SPU/HEQEP/UGC Oct 31, 2018

9. Share the final draft Concept Paper on the Students Loan Program

with the World Bank and finalize it.

SPU/HEQEP/UGC Nov 15, 2018

10. Print, submit the Flyer or booklet of final Concept Paper on the

Students Loan Program to the UGC & SHED and distribute it

among the stakeholders.

SPU/HEQEP/UGC Nov 30, 2018

Appendix 3: Implementation Plan for HEMIS Unit (July - Dec 2018)

Sl. Activity Responsibility Dead Line Remarks

4 Printing of HEMIS Report 2017 HEMIS

Unit/UGC

Nov 30, 2018

5 Submission of HEMIS Report UGC HEMIS

Unit/UGC

Dec 15, 2018

HEMIS Training

6 HEMIS User’s Interface Training for

15 Universities

HEMIS

/ICT/HEQEPU

Aug 30, 2018

7 Provide data to UGC Research and

Publication Division for publishing the

UGC Annual Report 2017 by

November, 2018

HEMIS/ICT August 2018

National Admission & Result Verification System

18

8 Share the System Analysis Report for

National Admission and Result

Verification System.

IT Consultant Dec 31, 2018 IT consultant

submitted a report

to HEQEP. But

HEQEP provided

some comments

and seek some

clarification on the

report. But have

not received any

clarification yet

from IT consultant

Dr. Syed Akther

Hossain.

Appendix 4: Implementation Plan for ICT Unit (July 2018- Dec 2018)

SN Activity Responsibility Deadline Remarks

1

Modernization of UGC

auditorium

ICT/HEQEPU/UGC Sept 30, 2018

2

Pick priority business

operation areas for

automation and adopt the a2i

developed modules in the

UGC automation

ICT/HEQEPU/UGC Oct 30, 2018 E-filing number

allotted by MoE.

Staff training

proposal sent to

A2i recently.

3

Complete system up

gradation of UGC

ICT/HEQEPU/UGC Nov 30, 2018 UGC is working

on it & revised

proposal will be

send to HEQEP

for processing.

4

Prepare an International

Training plan for UGC staff

considering their past

performance and share with

the Bank

ICT/HEQEPU/UGC August 31, 2018 A training plan

shared with WB.

Appendix 5: BdREN Activity Plan (July - December 2018)

Sl.

No.

Contract Description/Activity Target Date of

Completion

1 Deployment of BdREN Staff

1.1 Appoint One Network Engineer (Data) for BdREN 01 August, 2018

2 Expansion/up-gradation of Data and Transmission Network for

BdREN (Package: G.13-AF)

2.1 Installation of Equipment 12 November, 2018

2.2 Testing and Commissioning 30 November, 2018

3 Up gradation of Power System (Package: G.13.1-AF)

19

Sl.

No.


Completion

3.1 Installation of Equipment 15 August, 2018

3.2 Testing and Commissioning 31 August, 2018

4 Establishment of Distance Learning Theater (Package: G.14-AF)

4.1 Installation of Equipment 2 November, 2018


5 Laying of Optical Fiber for Access Network (Package: G.16-AF)

5.1 Installation of the Links 07 November, 2018


6 Installation of Campus Networking at 19 Universities (Package:

G.74-AF)

6.1 Completion of Installation of Network 30 August, 2018

6.2 Testing and Commissioning 25 September, 2018

7 Completion of Procurement of Office Space for BdREN 31 October, 2018

8 Procurement of Furniture and Fixtures and Office Equipment

8.1 Procurement of office equipment for existing BdREN Office 30 September, 2018

8.2 Procurement of all furniture and fixtures and office equipment for

newly procured office space

30 November, 2018

9 Organize Workshop/Training/Seminar/Awareness Program

9.1 2 (two) International Workshop /Seminar/Training Program 30 November, 2018

9.2 6 (Six) Local Workshop /Seminar/Training Program 30 November, 2018

9.3 8 (Eight) awareness seminars 30 November, 2018

10 Launch of Eduroam service in connected Universities 30 September, 2018

11 Ensuring 24/7 Connectivity

11.1 Last mile fiber redundancy arrangement @BSMMU, DU, BUET and

BUTex, DUET, BSMRAU, BRRI and BARI.

31 October, 2018

12 Arranging Optical Fiber Leasing from NTTN operators

(PGCB/BTCL/Fiber@Home, Summit) for BdREN

Expansion/Redundancy.

30 September, 2018

13 Establishing connectivity with BanglaGov Network 31 August, 2018

14 Developing Sustainability Plan for BdREN 31 August, 2018

15 E-Presence Sub-projects of DU & CUET

15.1 Completion of E-presence System at DU 30 September, 2018

15.2 Completion of E-presence System at CUET 30 September, 2018

16 Publication of BdREN Documents Operational Manual for BdREN

16.1 Operational Manual for BdREN 30 September, 2018

16.2 Handbook of BdREN 30 November, 2018

17 Expansion of BdREN connectivity to at least 25 Institutions (Private 31 October, 2018

20

Sl.

No.


Completion

Universities/Research Institutions/Medical Institutions)

18 Signing SLA with BdREN Member Institutions 30 September, 2018

19 Establishment of Caching Server in BdREN Data Center 30 November, 2018

20 Establishment of IP Telephony Service at UGC 30 September, 2018

Appendix 6: UDL Action Plan (July - December 2018)

Sl.

No. Activities Responsibility Dead Line Remarks

1 Conference with Vice-chancellors UDL/HEQEP Aug 31,

2018

2 User Training Program on Discovery

Service & Remote Access UDL/HEQEP

Sept 30,

2018

3 Share a contingency plan for UDL

operations UDL/HEQEP Oct 31, 2018

4 Subscribe to new e-publishers UDL/HEQEP Oct 31, 2018

Appendix 7: Activity Plan for Next Six Months (July 2018 - December 2018) Quality Assurance

Unit, HEQEP, UGC

1 2 3 4 6

Sl.

No.

Items Activities Responsibility Activity Plan/ Deadline

July - December 2018

Component 4: Establishment of Quality Assurance Mechanism

1 Round -1

13

universities

(Entities 350)

Self-Assessment Report

(SAR)

External Peer Review (EPR)

Post Self-Assessment

Improvement Plan (PSAIP)

IQAC under

supervision of

QAU and HEQEP

Follow up

Project Completion Report

(PCR)

Provide necessary

assistance

Complete by August 14,

2018

2 Round-2

21

universities

(entities 206)


(SAR)




IQAC under

supervision of

QAU and HEQEP

Follow up


(PCR)

Provide necessary

assistance

7 PCR complete by

August 14, 2018

14 PCR complete by

November 15, 2018

21

1 2 3 4 6

3 Round 3

27

universities

(entities 211)


(SAR)




IQAC under

supervision of

QAU and HEQEP

Follow up


(PCR)

Provide necessary

assistance Complete by

November 15, 2018

4 Round 4

8 universities

(entities 42)


(SAR)




IQAC under

supervision of

QAU and HEQEP

Provide necessary

assistance


(PCR)

Provide necessary

assistance Complete by

November 15, 2018

5 National

Qualifications

Framework

of

Bangladesh

(NQFB)

4 regional workshops to

present the first draft for

feedback

QAU, HEQEP,

International QA

Adviser

Organize and complete

all the workshops by

August 30, 2018

2 national workshops to

present the first draft for

feedback

QAU, HEQEP,

International QA

Adviser

Organize and complete

all the workshops by

September 30, 2018

Finalize NQFB QAU, HEQEP,

International QA

Adviser

Complete by November

30, 2018

Appendix 8: Activity Plan for PMU (July - Dec 2018)

No. Topic Activity Timeline Remarks

1. Project closing

plan

Series meeting with different units. By Aug 2018

2. Procurement

under sub-

projects of R-4

& CPSF

Provide continuous support to the

sub-projects of R-4 & CPSF to

complete their procurement

activities on time.

By September,

2018

3. Monitor the

procurement

activities of the

sub-projects.

Visit the CPs of R-4 & CPSF

regularly by the Procurement

Officers & Procurement Specialists.

Continuous

4. Procurement

Plan

Update STEP regularly Continuous

5. Procurement

Audit

Provide support to conduct

procurement audit (if any)

When needed

6 Pending

Procurement

Complete processing for all

procurement

Dec 31, 2018

22

No. Topic Activity Timeline Remarks

7 Organize a

workshop with

all university

VCs

Organize a workshop with all

university VCs on increasing

BdREN and UDL membership and

sustainability of BdREN, UDL and

QA

Nov 30, 2018

8 Financial

Management

1. Reconciliation of

Subproject

Sep 30, 2018

2. Reconciliation and

documentation of

expenditure

Oct 31, 2018

3. Resolution of Audit

Observations

Oct 31, 2018

4. Clearing of all outstanding

advances and checks

Aug 31, 2018

5. Updating of all accounts

records

Sept 30, 2018

6. Smooth closing of all sub

projects

Dec 15, 2018

9 Liaison Provide implementation

support to all the

stakeholders

Ongoing

10 International

HEQEP

Achievements

Workshop

Arrange an international

workshop on HEQEP

achievements

Nov 30, 2018

Appendix 9: Activity Plan for Communication (July - Dec 2018)

Sl.

No. Name of Work

Tentative

Implementation

Period

Work details

Remarks

1. HEQEP Newsletter

8th Issue (July-

2018)

9th Issue (Dec-

2018)

News on regular events

and success stories

Work in progress. 8th

Issue will be published in

July 2018 and 9th Issue by

December 2018

2. Innovation Series

4th Issue

(December -

2018)

Stories on the Innovations

3. Wall calendar December-2018

Photographs and brief

elaboration on project

activities

Calendar for 2019 will be

published by December

2018

4. Desk calendar December-2018

Photographs and brief

elaboration on project

activities

Desk Calendar for 2018

published and distributed.

Calendar for 2019 will be

published by December

2018

5. Folder and note pad September -2018 With latest progress

information

23

Appendix 10: Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Activity Plan (July - December 2018)

No Topic Activity Timeline Remarks

1. Prepare the 17th Semi-Annual Monitoring Report (SAMR)

1. Collect information from all components/units/ sub-projects

Oct 15, 2018

-

2. Data entry and Analysis

Oct 31, 2018

-

3. Physical verification of 20% subprojects of six monthly report of subprojects

August. 25,

2018

Online and Physical

Verification

4. Publication of 17th Semi-Annual Monitoring Report (up to Oct 2018 period)

Nov 30, 2018

For the WB Mission

2. Operationalization of Project Monitoring Information System (PMIS)

1. Hands on Training to SPMs for

Inputting Semi-annual Monitoring

Data

2. Collection and validation of

Semiannual Monitoring Data by use

of PMIS

3. Development and

operationalization Project

Completion Report both AIF & QA

Sub-projects through PMIS

November. 30, 2018

Continuous Process

6.

Roundtable

discussion of the

Quality Assurance

aspects in Higher

Education.

October- 2018

The roundtable discussion

will be organized in

collaboration with the

Daily Star.

October 2018

7.

International

Conference on

HEQEP

Achievements

September-2018 Showcase the

achievements of HEQEP

Event management firm

hired. Event to held by

September 2018

8.

Develop &

Telecast of 1 TV

Documentary

(By

Communication

Firm)

September-2018 Successes of AIF

subprojects

Event management firm

hired to be completed by

September 2018

9.

Telecast of 1 TV

Documentary in 3

channels

(By

Communication

Firm)

September-2018

Contribution of HEQEP

for the improvement of

higher education in

Bangladesh.

By September 2018

10.

Produce a success

story book

(By

Communication

Firm)

September-2018

Overall project brief and

success stories on

different components

with photographs.

Work in progress. Will be

produced by September-

2018.

24

No Topic Activity Timeline Remarks

3. Tracer Study 1. Submit Draft Report Sept. 15, 2018

By BIDS

2. Submit Final Report Oct. 15, 2018

By BIDS

5. Assist AIF Unit to prepare Consolidated Report on PCRs for 2nd,

3rd and 4th Round Subprojects

Submit Consolidated PCR report on completed AIF subprojects

2nd round-Oct-18 3rd round-Nov 15, 2018 4th round-Nov 30,2018

Jointly with AIFS

6. Routine Monitoring of AIF W-4 and Round-4 Sub-projects, CN & QA Sub-projects including Environment Monitoring

Conduct field visits to sub-projects to assess the progress and identify challenges

Continuous Continuous process

7. Update Result

Framework

Updating of Result Framework November 30, 2018

For Next WB Mission

8. Identify and Prepare Environmental Status Report for W-4 and Round-4 Sub-projects

Share the draft Environmental Screening Report of Window 4

July 31, 2018

Visit to Environment

sensitive subproject:

ongoing

9. Social Issue Prepare a report on citizen Engagement and include in the progress report

Nov 30, 2018

For the Next WB

Mission

10. Citizen Engagement Updating Citizen Engagement Nov 30, 2018

For the Next WB

Mission 11. Organize Workshops A couple of Workshops for

preparing/sharing reports/findings November 30, 2018

12. Final Round Satisfaction Survey (FRSS)

Submission of Final Report of Round Satisfaction Survey

August. 30, 2018

-

13. HEQEP Final Impact Study

Submission of Draft Report November 30, 2018

14. Monthly Progress Review Meetings on HEQEP

Conduct monthly progress review meeting with all Units

On-going PD chairs the meeting

15.

Project

Completion

Report

Prepare draft project completion report as per the IMED format

Dec 10, 2018

HEQEPU M&E and

IMED with support

from all units

16 World Bank

Implementation

Completion and

Results (ICR)

report

Provide data and information to support ICR preparation of the World Bank

Dec 31, 2018

UGC/HEQEPU/M&E

25

Annex 3: Component-wise Progress of Project Activities


1. Out of 439 subprojects, 78 percent have been completed (Table 1). Key progress include:

(i) utilized 100% of total allocated fund to 135 Round 3 subprojects and 91 % of total AIF allocations

under all rounds as of June 2018; (ii) (iii) draft consolidated report on PCRs for Round 2 prepared; (iv)

around 308 students have enrolled in postgraduate research programs (PhD: 98; MPhil: 21 and Master’s:

189) (v) 17 innovations under the AIF and university-industry collaboration have been selected for patents,

out of which one has been submitted for US patent and the remaining are being processed for national

patent; (vi) published the third number of Academic Innovation Series booklet; and (vii) 274 publications.

Table 1: Status of AIF Subprojects Implementation up to June 2018

AIF Rounds

Date of

Contract

Signing

No. of Sub-Projects

Implemented/Ongoing

Univ

(Pub+Priv)

No. of

Sub-

Projects

completed

Total

Contract

Amount

(Million)

% of

contract

amount

utilized

Round 1 Dec. 29,

2010 89 25+2 89

US$23

BDT1888 100

Round 2 Apr10,

2012 105 25+2 105

US$24

BDT1889 100

Campus

network

subprojects 4

Sep 16,

2012 4 4+0 4

US$1.40

BDT112 100

AIF Round 1 &

2

Round 3

(includes one

TTO)

Jun 14,

2014 135 28+9 135

US$30

BDT2375 100

Round 3

Window -4

Phase 1

subprojects5

Jun 25,

2015 5 5 Ongoing

US$3.8

BDT304 77

Round 3

Phase 2

Window 4

Subprojects6

March 8,

2016 5 5 Ongoing

US$4,3

BDT343 75

All Window 4

Round 3

TTO

July 26,

2016 2 2 Ongoing

US$0.5

BDT40 34

Round 3

Fab Lab7

Dec 29,

2016 8 7+1 Ongoing

US$1.6

BDT130 72

Total Round 3

Round 4

Window 1 May 1,

2017 38 17+1 Ongoing

US$7.2

BDT576.2 37

4 Dhaka University, Chittagong University, Khulna University and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Agricultural University 5 Dhaka University, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology and Bangladesh Agricultural University 6 Chittagong University, Dhaka University, Khulna University, Rajshahi University, Shahjala University of Science & Technology University 7 Bangladesh Agricultural University, Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology, Dhaka University, Dhaka University of Science & Technology, Independent University Bangladesh, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi University of Engineering &

Technology and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University

26

AIF Rounds

Date of

Contract

Signing

No. of Sub-Projects

Implemented/Ongoing

Univ

(Pub+Priv)

No. of

Sub-

Projects

completed

Total

Contract

Amount

(Million)

% of

contract

amount

utilized

Supplementary

Funding

May 1,

2017 48 19 Ongoing

US$4.0

BDT321.5 55

All Rounds

Total - 439 - 333

US$ 100

BDT8000 91


2. Improving the Strategic Capacity of UGC. A draft of the Strategic Plan for Higher Education

(SPHE) 2018-2030 has been approved by the government and its publication is expected by July 2018

3. Higher Education Management and Information System (HEMIS): Web-based HEMIS is

operational at the UGC, and periodic data entry has been completed by 107 universities (37 public and 70

private). Key progress include: (i) the UGC Annual Report 2017 using HEMIS data prepared for

publication; and (ii) an initial system analysis report for National Admission and Result Verification System

submitted prepared.

4. Strengthening the Institutional Capacity of Universities. A total of around 8,000 university

faculty and staff participated in various in-country and overseas trainings and workshops as part of their

capacity development, while another 300 were trained since the last mission. Training workshops organized

include: (i) workshops on proposal writing, proposal evaluation, financial management, procurement, e-

GP, office management and record keeping; and (ii) overseas training for UGC and HEQEPU officials,

QAU staff, BdREN engineers, and IQAC staff.

5. Intellectual Property (IP) Literacy. In addition to the six patents filed for innovations emerging

from the TTO subproject from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), another seventeen more patents

under university-industry collaboration from other universities have been selected for patent application.

Component 3 - Raising the Connectivity Capacity of the Higher Education Sector

6. Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN). BdREN was established to provide high

performance connectivity and education and management contents development services to the educational

and research institutions. Key progress includes: (a) 40 universities have been connected with BdREN of

which more than 80% have almost 24/7 uptime; (b) inbound data traffic remains exceeded 1,000 terabytes;

(c) 47 staff in place out 55 positions; and (d) six training and ten awareness building workshops conducted

centrally and at the universities.

7. UGC Digital Library (UDL): UDL is operational with access to over 34,000 e-resources in 90

member institutions (34 public, 52 private, 1 international university, 2 training institutions and 1 research

organization). Key progress includes: (a) rolled out remote access and one-stop search tool in 50 member

universities; (b) increased membership to four new universities; (c) organized five awareness building

workshops at member universities and one national workshop with all member institutions; and (d)

conducted online survey to assess demand for e-resources.

27

Component 4 – Establishment of Quality Assurance Mechanisms

8. Establishment of QA mechanism at the national level: Key progress since the last mission: (i)

MOE has made preliminary selection of key positions of the BAC; (ii) draft National Qualifications

Framework (NQF) prepared by QAU with the technical assistance of international expert based on the input

received through the extensive stakeholder consultations. Once the BAC is established, the Council will be

the custodian of the NQF and it will take the responsibilities of subsequent modifications and improvements

including drafting of the NQF Manuals. The BAC will also develop several QA related documents which

include: BAC Guidelines/Regulations; BAC Code of Practice; Quality Code/Manual for Higher Education;

Manuals for Program and Institutional Review/Accreditation; subject benchmarking statement for each

discipline, etc.

9. Establishment of QA mechanism at the institutional level: Key progress since the last mission: (i)

688 out of 800 SAs (86%) completed; and (ii) training workshop on developing Project Completion Report

carried out for 69 universities in collaboration with M&E unit.

Table 2: Progress of Self-Assessment Activities Round No. of

Uni

Number

of

entities

Number of SAR Number of EPRR Number of Improvement

Plans

Completed Under

process

Completed Under

process

Completed Under

process

Round-1, 13 350 347 3 346 1 279 67

Round-2,

universities

21

200 189 11 170 19 107 63

Round-3,

universities

27

208 134 74 95 39 7 88

Round-4,

universities

08

42 18 24 5 13 0 5

Total

universities

69

800 688 112 616 72 393 223

% of total entities

86% 14% 77% 7% 49% 28%

Component 5 - Project Management, Communication, Monitoring and Evaluation

10. Project Management and Communication: The mission noted good progresses made on key

issues. The Project has: (a) adjusted around 90% of advance; (b) resolved substantial audit observations;

(c) deployed staff and consultant to BdREN, finance, procurement and communication; and (d) organized

PSC and PIC meetings regularly.

11. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): Key progress made in M&E subcomponent include: (a)

timely preparation of the 16th Semi-Annual Monitoring Report with a good amount of information/data of

component-wise progress and subproject progress; (b) draft final satisfaction survey report prepared; (c)

tracer study initiated with all survey tools; and (d) coordinating monthly progress review meetings headed

by PD.

28

Annex 4: List of Persons Met and Institutions Visited:

Ministry of Education

Secondary and Higher Education Division

Md. Sohorab Hossain, Secretary, SHED

Md Mahiuddin Khan, Additional Secretary (Dev), SHED

Md Abdullah Al Hasan Chowdhury, Additional Secretary, (Univ)

Mahmudul Islam, Joint Secretary (Dev 1)

Md. Fazlur Rahman, Joint Secretary (Dev 2)

Quzi Munirul Islam, Joint Chief (Planning)

Syeda Nowara Jahan, Deputy Secretary (Dev 3)

Economic Relations Division (ERD)

Mahmuda Begum, Additional Secretary (World Bank)

Zahid Hossain Munshi, Deputy Secretary (World Bank)

University Grants Commission (UGC)

Prof. Abdul Mannan, Chairman

Prof. Mohammad Yousuf Ali Mollah, Member

Prof. Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain, Member (UGC)

Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP)

Gauranga Chandra Mohanta, ndc, Project Director

Sohel Ahmed, Deputy Project Director

Ajit Kumar Debnath, Senior Procurement Officer

Md. Farhadul Islam Bhuiyan,SPO, M&E

Gazi Md. Nazrul Islam, PO, Innovation

Gautam C Roy, PO (Window 1)

Md. Mokhlesur Rahman Tipu, PO (M&E)

Md. Akbar Ali Biswas, PO (Research)

Khalid Shifullah, PO, Window 3

Mohammed Salim Ullah, PO (Admin)

Md. Mahmood Hossain, PO, M&E

Md. Abdul Mannan, M&E Specialist

Prof Ali Ashraf, AIF Management Specialist

Rafiqul Islam, FMS

Sajedul K. Talukder, FMA

Md. Abu Bakar Siddique, Procurement Specialist

UDL

Muhammad Jaminur Rahman, SPO

Nushrat Sharita, PO

29

QAU

Prof Sanjoy K Adhikary, Head

Prof Ahmed Tazmeen, QA Specialist,

Prof Mahbub Ahsan Khan, QA Specialist

Mr. Md. Safiul Muz Nabeen, DD

Nasir Uddin Ahammed, DD

Md. Mahbub Hasan, Research Officer

Nazmin Afroze, Research Officer

HEMIS

Prof Syed Akhter Hossain, ICT Consultant

SPU

Shamima Akhtar, SRO

Md. Sirajul Islam, RO

Md. Shamsul Arefin Khan Mamun, RO

BdREN

A.K.M. Habibur Rahman, CEO

Mohammad Tawrit, CTO

Sayedur Rahman Tony, TST Consultant (Management)

Md. Rezaur Rahman Akondo, CIO

Mohammad Atiqur Rahman, Director, Network Operation

Md. Abdul Awal Haoladar, Manager, Network

Md. Ariful Islam, Manager, Communications

Md. Jahidul Islam, Manager, Innovation

Kazi Muheymin-us-Sakib, ITT Consultant (Technical)

Universities (AIF Window 4; ISMs/DISMs)

Prof Mazibur Rahman, BAU

Prof ABMH Harunur Rashid, EEE, BUET

Prof Abdul Matin, G&C, BUET

Prof Anwar Hossain, Microbiology, DU

Prof Zafar Iqbal, CSE, SUST

Prof ASM Noman, Biochemistry, CU

Prof Abu Ashfaq Sajib, GE, DU

Prof Iftekhar Shams, Forestry, KU

Prof Taufiq Alam, Appl. Chemistry, RU

Prof Yasmeen Haque, Physics, SUST

30

Librarians:

Md. Mosharraf Hosssain, Libraraian, AUST

M. Hossain Haider Chowdhury, Librarian, Independent University Bangladesh

Ashaful Ud-dowla, Librarian, Manarat University

Shegufta Hussain, Deputy Librarian, Prime Asia University

Deeba Farkhunda Banu, Assistant Librarian, UIU

Akhinoor Siddiqua, Librarian, WUB

Sonia Naznin, Assistant Librarian, Eastern University

Razia Sultana, Assistant Library Officer, Sonargoan University

M. Zahidul Hassan, Section Officer (Library), Maritime University

Mr. Arifur Rahman, Deputy Librarian, Bangladesh Islamic University

Nawshin Laila, Librarian, Bangladesh University

Dilara Begum, Librarian, EWU

Monowara Sarwar, Librarian, IUBAT

M. M. Shoeb, Librarian, North South University

Mir Iftekhar Hussain, Librarian, University of South Asia

Md. Rashed, Assitant Librarian, Canadian University of Bangladesh

Md. Ershadul Hoque, Assistant Librarian, Uttara University

Akhil Roy Chowdhury, Deputy Librarian, Jahangirnagar University

Shah Abdul, Deputy Librarian, BUET

Muhammand Abdul Karim, Deputy Librarian, Stamford University

Faculty (Universities)

Prof . Sakhawat Hussain,SAC Head (DU)

Prof. Sheikh Shamimul Alam, Director, IQAC, (DU)

Prof. Mushfiq Ahmed, Director IQAC, (RU)

Prof Md. Jahurul Islam, SAC Head, Deptt. Of English, (RU)

Prof. Md. Solaiman Ali Fakir, Director, IQAC, (BAU)

Prof. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Director, IQAC, (BUET)

Prof. Jahangir Alam, Director, IQAC, (CU)

Prof. Ajit Kumar Majumder, Director, IQAC (JU)

Prof. K. M. Abdus Sobahan, Direcor, IQAC, (IU)

Prof. Abdul Awal Biswas, Director, IQAC, SUST

Prof. Ahmed Ahsanuzzaman, Director, IQAC (KU)

Prof. Md. Kamrul Alam Khan, Director, IQAC, (JnU)

Prof. Cahrles Villanueva, Director, IQAC, AIUB

Prof M. Shahidul Kabir, Director, IQAC, Stamford University

Prof. A K M Ziaul Islam Director, IQAC, (WUB)

Prof. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Director, IQAC (HSTU)

Prof. Zannatul Ferdausi, SAC Head, (HSTU)

Prof. Jamal Unddin Bhuyan, Director, IQAC (SAU)

Prof. Md. Shahidul Islam, Director, IQAC (PSTU)

Prof. Md. Asaduzzaman Khan, Director, IQAC ,(SBAU)

Prof. Md. Hazrat Ali, Director, IQAC, (CUET)

31

Prof. K. M. Azharul Hasan Additional Director, IQAC, (KUET)

Prof. . Md. Nazrul Islam Director, IQAC, (DUET)

Prof Mahbub Alam, Director, IQAC, (IUB)

Prof KMN Sarwar Iqbal, Director, IQAC, (IUBAT)

Prof Md. Jafor Sadiq, Director, IQAC, (AUB)

Prof. Md. Mostafizer Rahman, Director, IQAC, (GB)

Prof Md. Serajul Islam Prodhan, Director, IQAC, Dhaka International University

Prof. M. A. Hakim, Director, IQAC, South East University (

Prof. M. Shamsul Haqu Director, IQAC, Eastern University (EU)

Prof. Debi Narayan Rudra Paul, Director, IQAC, Uttara University

Prof Khawza Iftekhar Uddin Ahmed, Director, IQAC, (UIU)

Prof Mahbubul Haque, Director, IQAC, (UAP)

Prof. Md. Shafiqul Islam, Director, IQAC, (BSMMU)

Prof. Md. Tafazzal Hussain, Director, IQAC, BRACU

Prof. Khurshed Alam Bhuiyan, Director, IQAC, (BSMRAU)

Prof. Md. Sirajul Islam, Director, IQAC, (MBSTU)

Prof. Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Director, IQAC, (RUET)

Prof Md. Ashraful Alam, Director, IQAC, (Noakhali STU)

Prof. Mohammad Sayadur Rahman, Director, IQAC, Comilla University

Prof. Rashidun Nabi, Director, IQAC (JKKNIU)

Prof. Md. Ziaul Amin, Director, IQAC, (JUST)

Prof. Md. Nazmul Haque, Director, IQAC, (BRUR)

Prof. Md. Mohammad Forhad Hossain, Director, IQAC, (BUTEX)

Prof. AKM Saifuddin, Director, IQAC, (CVASU)

Prof. . Md. Masud Reza, Director, IQAC, Peoples University of Bangladesh

Prof Md. Helal Uddin, SAC Head, Peoples University of Bangladesh

Prof Md. Rezaul Karim, Director, IQAC, Leading Universtiy, Sylhet (LUS)

Prof Sumon Chakraborty, Director, IQAC, BGC Trust University,Chittagong

Prof Jagannath Biswas, Director, IQAC, Green University of Bangladesh,

Prof Wazir Ahman, Additional Director, IQAC, (ULAB)

Prof. . Iqbal Hossain, Director, IQAC, ASA University Bangladesh

Prof A. H. Mostafa Kamal, SAC Head, ASA University Bangladesh

Prof Md. Moshiur Rahman, Sylhet International University (SIU)

Prof. A.J. M. Nuruddin Chowdhury, Director, IQAC, Southern University Bangladesh,

Chittagong

Prof Sajjad Waheed, SAC Head, MBSTU

Prof Ishrat Jahan, SAC Head, Southern University Bangladesh, Chittagong

Dr. Kishor Mazumder, Director, IQAC, (USTC)

Prof. Md. Helal Uddin, SAC Head, PrimeAsia University

Prof. Dr. Khairul Alam, Director, IQAC, East West University (EWU)

Prof M. M. Enamul Aziz, Director, IQAC, Bangladesh University (BU)

Prof Md. Muhibullah, SAC Head, Bangladesh University (BU)

Dr. Taufiqu Sayeed, Director, IQAC, Premier Universtiy Chittagong

Prof. Dr. Yasmin Ahmed, Director, IQAC, Shanto Marium University of Creative Technology

Prof A. F. M. Mohiuddin Akhand, SAC Head, Shanto Marium University of Creative

Technology

32

Prof. Dr. Md. Raju Ahmad, EEE, DUET

Prof Mohammad Shahed Hasan Khan Tushar, FLSM,(RUET)

Prof. Dr. Pallab Kumar Chowdhury, FLSM, (KUET)

Dr. Moshiul Hoque, SPM, CUET

Dr. A H M Solaiman, FLSM, SBAU

Prof Md. Touhiduzzaman, DISM, BUET

Utpal Kumar Ghose, Assistant System Analyst, Bangladesh Open University (BOU)

Mihirlal Sarkar, Senior Programmer, KUET

Md. Mostafijur Rahman, Lecturer, KUET

Sajeeb Saha, Assistant Professor, Jagannath University

Prof. Mohammad Shamsul Arefin, CUET

Prof. Mohammad Abul Kashem, DUET

Md. Abdul Montaqir, System Analyst, BUP

Md. Mominul Islam, Director ICT, NU

A. R Azimul Hoque, Director IT Cell, BSMMU