Despite PhD Programs, 30 Universities Could not Award Doctorates in 2023

Bangladesh has 53 higher education institutions with approved PhD programs, including 50 general, medical, agriculture, engineering, and science-technology universities plus the National University, Bangladesh Open University, and Islamic Arabic University.

According to the University Grants Commission's 50th annual report for 2023, only 23 of these institutions awarded PhD degrees that year, with a total of 496 doctorates conferred by 22 universities (Dhaka University's data was not included in the report). The remaining 30 universities awarded no PhD degrees at all.

Among the awarding institutions, Begum Rokeya University led with 114, followed by Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (73), Jahangirnagar University (69), Rajshahi University (64), Chittagong University (37), Islamic University Kushtia (28), Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) (13), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) (12), Sylhet Agricultural University (11), Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (10), Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (9), Khulna University (9), Jagannath University (9), Gazipur Agricultural University (7), Patuakhali Science and Technology University (6), Gopalganj Science and Technology University (5), Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (4), Jashore University of Science and Technology (4), Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (4), Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (3), Pabna University of Science and Technology (3), and Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (2).

The 30 universities that awarded no PhD degrees include Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh Medical University, Mawlana Bhasani Science and Technology University, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Comilla University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Bangladesh Textile University, Barishal University, Rangamati Science and Technology University, Bangladesh Maritime University, Chittagong Medical University, Rajshahi Medical University, Rabindra University, University of Frontier Technology (UFTB), Netrokona University, Khulna Agricultural University, Jamalpur Science and Technology University, Sylhet Medical University, Bangladesh Aviation and Aerospace University, Chandpur Science and Technology University, Kishoreganj University, Habiganj Agricultural University, Khulna Medical University, Kurigram Agricultural University, Sunamganj Science and Technology University, Pirojpur Science and Technology University, National University, Bangladesh Open University, and Islamic Arabic University.