HEAT Project implementation progress satisfactory: WB
Staff Correspondent
The World Bank has assessed the overall implementation progress of the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project being implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh as ‘moderately satisfactory’.
A World Bank delegation on Wednesday presented the latest implementation progress of the project during a courtesy call on UGC Chairman Prof Dr. Mamun Ahmed.
World Bank Senior Education Specialist and Task Team Leader TM Asaduzzaman led the three-member delegation. UGC member Prof Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, HEAT project director Prof Dr. Asaduzzaman and officials of UGC and HIT were present.
In the meeting, TM Asaduzzaman said that in the initial stage, the HIT project was considered a 'problem project' and later a 'real problem project' in the eyes of the World Bank. However, as a result of effective initiatives taken by the UGC after August 2024, visible progress has been achieved in the project.
The World Bank has assessed the overall implementation progress of the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project being implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh as ‘moderately satisfactory’.
A World Bank delegation on Wednesday presented the latest implementation progress of the project during a courtesy call on UGC Chairman Prof Dr. Mamun Ahmed.
World Bank Senior Education Specialist and Task Team Leader TM Asaduzzaman led the three-member delegation. UGC member Prof Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, HEAT project director Prof Dr. Asaduzzaman and officials of UGC and HIT were present.
In the meeting, TM Asaduzzaman said that in the initial stage, the HIT project was considered a 'problem project' and later a 'real problem project' in the eyes of the World Bank. However, as a result of effective initiatives taken by the UGC after August 2024, visible progress has been achieved in the project.
The HEAT project's Implementation Status and Results Report 2025 has assessed the overall implementation progress of the project as 'moderately satisfactory'. He further said that the HIT project is a 'frontline investment' of the World Bank in the higher education sector of Bangladesh, which will play an important role in developing skilled human resources and creating employment opportunities in the future. He also mentioned that the 'mid-term review' of the project will begin next April and sought the cooperation of the concerned to complete the project activities within the stipulated time. UGC Chairman Prof Dr. Mamun Ahmed said that the HIT project is one of the most important initiatives in the country's higher education sector. Its successful implementation will enable the improvement of the quality of higher education and the resolution of existing structural problems. He mentioned that the training program for new teachers under the project has already started bringing positive changes and the World Bank's support is needed to make such training programs permanent. He instructed the project stakeholders to set clear goals and adopt effective plans to complete the work within the stipulated time. He also emphasized on implementing the project with dedication, transparency and accountability. He also directed to ensure transparency in the decision-making process of the project and to present the progress visibly. The World Bank representatives said that in the next two years, special emphasis will be given to strengthening research activities.
The total cost of the five-year HEAT project has been set at 4,165.7 million taka. Of this, 50.96 percent will be financed by the Bangladesh government and the remaining 49.4 percent will be provided by the World Bank.
