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| Ministry of Science and Technology (Bangladesh) | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Ministry of Science and Technology (Bangladesh) |
| Native name | বিজ্ঞান ও প্রযুক্তি মন্ত্রণালয় |
| Formed | 1972 |
| Jurisdiction | Dhaka |
| Headquarters | Secretariat, Dhaka |
Ministry of Science and Technology (Bangladesh) is the national executive body responsible for coordinating national science, technology, and innovation policy in Bangladesh. It interfaces with ministries such as Ministry of Education (Bangladesh), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Bangladesh), and international partners including United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Asian Development Bank, and World Bank to implement programs across sectors like Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission-related activities and Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research projects. The ministry oversees agencies such as Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and research institutes tied to universities like University of Dhaka and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
The ministry traces roots to post-independence institutions established after the Bangladesh Liberation War when leaders sought to rebuild infrastructure with technical assistance from countries such as India, Soviet Union, and agencies like United Nations Development Programme. Early links formed with organizations including Atomic Energy Commission (Pakistan)-successor bodies and research centers modeled on British and United States frameworks. Major milestones include institutionalization of national science policy influenced by international conferences such as World Conference on Science and collaborations with International Atomic Energy Agency and Food and Agriculture Organization. Over successive administrations including those of political figures such as Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, the ministry expanded mandates to cover biotechnology, information technology, and renewable energy initiatives inspired by programs from Japan and Germany.
The ministry is led by a cabinet minister and a senior secretary who coordinate with secretaries from affiliated agencies like Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and directors from research centers at Rajshahi University and Chittagong University. Leadership appointments have included technocrats and politicians with links to institutions such as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University and international fellows from Smithsonian Institution-affiliated programs. The organizational chart connects policy divisions to units interacting with embassies of countries including China, United States Embassy, and United Kingdom Foreign Office for bilateral science partnerships.
The ministry formulates national policy aligned with frameworks from United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and regional strategies like those of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. It regulates activities related to nuclear research under protocols influenced by the International Atomic Energy Agency, promotes biotechnology in coordination with institutions such as Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, and supports digital innovation ecosystems linked to Bangladesh Computer Council and Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority. The ministry also advises on standards that intersect with bodies like Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution.
Key agencies under the ministry include Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute, Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization, and the Bangladesh National Scientific and Technical Documentation Centre. The ministry supervises research centers embedded within universities such as North South University and technical institutes like Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. It interfaces with regulatory entities including the Directorate General of Drug Administration when scientific oversight intersects with public health programs pioneered by institutions like International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh.
Policy instruments crafted by the ministry have referenced international instruments such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and national plans like the Perspective Plan of Bangladesh (2010–2021). Programs have ranged from biotechnology grants modeled on Horizon 2020 mechanisms to renewable energy pilots similar to initiatives by Asian Development Bank. National initiatives include technology commercialization schemes inspired by Small Business Innovation Research-type programs, capacity-building partnerships with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and skill-development collaborations with UNESCO and United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
The ministry supports research consortia linking universities such as Bangladesh Agricultural University and institutes like Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies for thematic work on climate resilience, public health, and agricultural productivity. Innovation hubs in collaboration with Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority and private partners emulate models from Silicon Valley accelerators and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology spin-off support. International collaborations include joint projects with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (India), research exchanges with Chinese Academy of Sciences, and fellowship programs tied to Fulbright Program-style exchanges.
The ministry's budget is allocated through national appropriation processes involving the Ministry of Finance (Bangladesh), and funding streams include multilateral loans from World Bank and grants from bilateral partners such as Japan International Cooperation Agency and United States Agency for International Development. Research funding is channeled to agencies like Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and university projects funded through competitive calls that reference models used by organizations such as the European Research Council and national science funds in countries like India and South Korea.
Category:Government ministries of Bangladesh Category:Science and technology ministries