Emphasis must be placed on research aimed at solving real-world problems, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed has said.
“Research does not require advanced age, expensive equipment or large laboratories. It can begin by identifying problems in one's surroundings and trying to solve them using readily available materials,” he said.
UGC Chairman was speaking at the Young Researchers' Conference 2026 held recently at the TSC auditorium of Dhaka University.
A total of 318 students from classes seven to 10 from different parts of the country took part in the conference, presenting 128 research papers, concept papers and posters.
Prof Mamun said the idea that research should begin only at the university level was incorrect.
He mentioned that the young participants had explored issues in education, science, the environment, computer science and sociology using their own ideas and available resources.
He stressed the need to encourage courage, enthusiasm, curiosity and scientific thinking among students, saying the ability to identify problems and seek solutions was the essence of research.
Referring to Bangladesh's research landscape over the past five decades, he said the government and private institutions had invested heavily in research, with many papers published in international journals and cited by other researchers. However, many problems affecting people's daily lives remained unresolved.
He said research should focus more on the country's specific social, economic and environmental challenges and produce practical solutions.
The UGC would consider funding projects proposed by researchers to address specific problems, he said, adding that their practical impact would also be taken into account.
Mentioning traffic congestion, electricity shortages, access to safe drinking water and soil salinity, he urged young researchers to work towards finding solutions to these challenges.
“You are the ones who will solve the problems around us,” he told the participants, expressing optimism that today's young researchers would become tomorrow's scientists.
Dhaka University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Professor Dr Upama Kabir, and The Financial Express Planning Editor Asjadul Kibria spoke as special guests.
Advocate Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman, chairman of Chintar Chash, chaired the conference, which was attended by university teachers, students, young researchers, guardians and teachers.