Bangladesh cannot keep its brightest minds to remain in the country with such low salaries. FILE VISUAL: SALMAN SAKIB SHAHRYAR
A recent report by The New Indian Express highlighted that the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIIT-Delhi) has raised its PhD fellowship to 60,000 rupees per month, which amounts to over Tk 83,000, making it the highest PhD fellowship in India. Previously set at 50,000 rupees, this increase is a testament to India's commitment to fostering research and innovation. Additionally, PhD students at IIIT-Delhi also receive a studio apartment as part of their benefits package, further improving their standard of living.
However, the financial support for researchers in India does not stop there. They are also provided 150,000 rupees for international lab visits, enabling researchers to gain global exposure and collaborate with leading experts. Furthermore, a professional development allowance (PDA) of 250,000 rupees is allocated for attending prestigious conferences and workshops, ensuring that scholars can present their work on global platforms. To further enhance research capabilities, a research contingency grant is provided to cover essential research expenses, along with a one-time laptop grant to equip researchers with the necessary tools for advanced study. Additionally, newly recruited faculty members in reputed Indian institutes such as IITs, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and the Indian Institute of Education and Research receive a research startup fund ranging from 25 lakh to 30 lakh rupees, equivalent to approximately Tk 35-40 lakh.
In stark contrast, how much do PhD students in Bangladesh receive? Most universities and the University Grants Commission (UGC) offer only Tk 15,000-25,000 per month. Even the highest PhD fellowship in the country, offered by the Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) very recently, offers Tk 40,000—only half of what our neighbouring country provides to its PhD students. Meanwhile, a lecturer at a Bangladeshi university earns around Tk 35,000, and an associate professor makes approximately Tk 80,000 per month. This means that a PhD student in India now earns more than an experienced university faculty member in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh offering PhD students a mere Tk 15,000-25,000 per month raises fundamental questions about the broader academic salary structure. The current salary framework fails to recognise the academic qualifications and contributions of university faculty, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction of the community.
A salary of Tk 20,000-50,000 is insufficient to prevent brain drain or encourage high-quality research. The purchasing power of 60,000 rupees in India is equivalent to over Tk 100,000 in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, a professor in Bangladesh—who holds a PhD, conducts research, and mentors students—earns approximately Tk 100,000 per month. An Indian postdoctoral fellow earns significantly more than a Bangladeshi professor, even before adjusting for purchasing power.
How can Bangladesh expect its brightest minds to remain in the country under such conditions? Low salaries may force faculty members to take up multiple part-time jobs, which inevitably affects their ability to focus on research and teaching. Many faculty members from Dhaka University (DU) and other prestigious institutions teach part-time at private universities or engage in consultancy work to supplement their income. No one willingly endures Dhaka's traffic and additional workload unless they have no other choice.
Moreover, inadequate salaries create an environment where unethical practices can take root. Another alarming issue is the complete absence of postdoctoral research programmes in Bangladeshi universities. No institution, including DU, has a structured system for postdoctoral fellowships. This is unimaginable in today's academic world. Without such opportunities, universities cannot attract high-calibre researchers from abroad, nor can they retain homegrown talent. Competitive fellowships are essential for building a strong research ecosystem, which naturally requires an increase in faculty salaries as well.
Investing in higher education is investing in the future, and without competitive salaries, the country's academic institutions will struggle to maintain their relevance on the global stage.
If Bangladesh is serious about fostering high-quality research and world-class PhD programmes, it must provide competitive fellowships that attract both local and international scholars. PhD fellowships should be set at a minimum of Tk 70,000-80,000 per month to allow research students to dedicate themselves fully to academic excellence. In line with this, postdoctoral fellows should receive at least Tk 100,000, while an assistant professor with a PhD should earn no less than Tk 120,000. Furthermore, a full professor should not be paid less than Tk 300,000, as many private universities already offer salaries in this range. The disparity between public and private university salaries is unjustified and must be eliminated immediately.
Bangladesh needs a separate, well-structured salary scale for university teachers. Without this, the country will continue to experience brain drain, a decline in research quality, and stagnation in higher education. Recognising and addressing this issue is crucial not just for the future of academia but for the nation's overall progress in an increasingly knowledge-driven world.
The case for reverse brain drain is of significance for Bangladesh. Recently, top academics are returning to their countries as part of the global trend of reverse brain drain. Several top Indian scientists have left prestigious positions abroad to join leading Indian institutions. This is a sign that countries are making real progress by offering competitive research environments that attract their own intellectual diaspora.
Now, imagine if a Bangladeshi scholar from Princeton University decided to return to the country. The likely outcome? His research career would be doomed. He might not even secure a position, and if he did, he would receive minimal research funding, making it impossible to sustain high-level research or mentor PhD and postdoctoral fellows. This tragic reality highlights the urgency of reforming Bangladesh's research ecosystem and salary structures.
If Bangladesh is truly committed to progress, it must act now by prioritising higher education, increasing research funding, and ensuring that academia remains a viable career path for its best and brightest minds.
Dr Kamrul Hassan Mamun is professor of physics at Dhaka University. He can be reached at [email protected].
Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
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