The government has approved a Tk 866.55 crore project to modernise laboratories and upgrade infrastructure at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (Duet), Gazipur, aiming to transform it into an international-standard research and education hub.
The project aims to create a technology-based skilled workforce by modernising engineering and technology education and research facilities through the establishment of an international standard research center.
The project, titled “Modernisation and Capacity Enhancement of Laboratories and Necessary Infrastructure Development at Duet, Gazipur”, will run from July 2025 to June 2029, with the entire cost to be borne from the government exchequer.
The project will be jointly implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Duet.
It includes construction of new academic and laboratory buildings, modernisation of research facilities, development of student accommodation for 1,600 learners, and enhanced campus security and communication systems.
According to the project document, there is a need for research-oriented engineering science and technology-based technical education to accelerate economic progress through continuous modernisation of the production system and higher growth-oriented transformation.
The project proposed by the Secondary and Higher Education Department has been adopted with the aim of modernising engineering and technology education and research facilities by establishing international standard research centers, modernising university laboratories, constructing academic and laboratory buildings, and creating security and inter-campus communication facilities, it said.
It included modernisation of research laboratories for about 3,500 students of the university, construction of an 11,508 square meter academic building and a 33,500 square meter laboratory building, creation of housing facilities for 1,600 new students and creation of security and inter-campus communication facilities.
According to the project document, alignment with development plan objectives and targets, a highly skilled workforce equipped with the necessary technical and professional skills is required to achieve economic growth in Bangladesh.
For this reason, the 8th Five Year Plan (July 2020-June 2025) has emphasised on improving the quality of higher education as a development strategy for the education sector.
The government has already set a goal to create interest in studying science and technology among the younger generation.
The project document said the government is committed to promoting research at all levels and conducting research and innovation activities to introduce new technologies is a goal.
It is expected that the implementation of the proposed project will create a skilled workforce by establishing international standard research centers, acquiring engineering and technological knowledge, and modernising education and research facilities as a strategy to accelerate the country's economic development.
A significant component involves the procurement of 7,269 laboratory equipment items at a cost of Tk. 266.62 crore, which accounts for 30.77% of the total project expenditure.
This investment will substantially enhance the quality of scientific research and advanced learning at the university.
In terms of infrastructure development, a number of large-scale construction works are included. At the old campus, three existing halls—Dr. Kudrat-e-Khuda Hall, Dr. F. R. Khan Hall, and Shaheed Muktijoddha Hall—will be replaced by a 13-story student dormitory with a basement and a dining facility to accommodate 1,200 students, covering 30,355 square meters at an estimated cost of Tk. 160.32 crore (18.50%).
Besides, a 17-story multipurpose research center with two basements will be built on the old campus, covering 25,500 square meters, with an allocation of Tk. 140.22 crore (16.18%).
Further expansion works include the construction of a Teachers-Students Complex at the old campus.
On the new campus, the existing academic building will be vertically expanded from the 8th to the 12th floor, adding 11,508 square meters at a cost of Tk. 47.98 crore (5.54%).
The existing laboratory building will be extended from the 5th to the 12th floor, adding 8,000 square meters, with a budget of Tk. 37.55 crore (4.33%).
Other planned works include the vertical expansion of the Bijoy 24 student hall on the new campus, extending it from the 7th to the 10th floor to cover 4,000 square meters, costing Tk. 19.46 crore (2.25%).
The Teachers’ and Officers’ Building at the old campus will also be expanded from the 6th to the 10th floor, covering 3,415 square meters, with a budget of Tk. 16.92 crore (1.95%).
Besides, the existing ICT Incubator Building on the new campus will be extended up to the 10th floor, including ancillary works, covering 1,000 square meters, with an allocation of Tk. 12.69 crore (1.46%).
Planning Commission officials said that it is expected that the project under consideration will play an important role in creating a technology-based skilled manpower by modernising engineering and technology education and research facilities, modernising university laboratories, constructing academic and laboratory buildings, and creating security and inter-campus communication facilities through the establishment of an international standard research center.
Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud welcomed the initiative, noting that no land acquisition was required.
“This is a good project. DUET graduates are performing exceptionally well abroad—sometimes even better than Buet graduates,” he said, recalling his surprise at meeting a renowned professor in London who was a DUET alumnus.