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Challenges of Achieving SDGs in Bangladesh: An Assessment on Biodiversity Goal-15
No full textThis paper explores the challenges of implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focusing on biodiversity goals. Biodiversity loss is one of the critical environmental problems, and the stock of biodiversity is gradually decreasing due to increasing population and pressure on forests, land, and water. On the other hand, the value of biodiversity is significant for humanity and overall sustainable development. The findings of this research indicate that there are many challenges to restoring the loss of biodiversity and protecting the biodiversity from loss; that is, implementing the SDG. The challenges include inadequate financing, data gaps, lack of capacity, difficulties monitoring progress, insufficient interagency cooperation, and bad biodiversity management through EIA. This research also recommended overcoming these challenges to achieve the goal. The recommendations include filling the data gap, financing biodiversity protection, incorporating biodiversity issues into sectoral planning and policies, addressing biodiversity impacts through EIA, future budgeting for biodiversity protection, inclusive participation, and developing institutional mechanisms.  
Examining the Impact of Business Loan Accessibility to Empowering Student Entrepreneurs: A Study on University Students’ Perceptions
No full textThis study was mainly focued on exploring the impact of loan accessibility of student entrepreneurs at JKKNIU. The study was carried out by using quantitative approach with data gathered through a questionnaire survey from primary sources. The findings of the study revealed that the students are owned distinct types of businesses such as clothing and online business both,etc. In addition, most of them are running their businesses for like 1-2 years, accounted (38%). Although, (92%) of them have been applied for the loan to support their entrepreneurial venture, most of them had taken loans from personal loan (32%), NGO (30%) and bank (26%). In case of their loans they took maximum took it for the purpose of expansion of their business (30%) and to buy necessary items (28%). To get a loan student entrepreneurs in the respective area had to face obstacles during the application process of a loan (86%). In that case, most of them believes that it is difficult to access loans as a student entrepreneurs, estimated (62%). Moreover, due to not getting the expected loan they had faced challenges like hindered business growth (28%), missed investment opportunities (24%), delayed business launch (16%). Additionally, for access to loan as a student entrepreneurs are high interest rates (32%), complex application process and collateral requirements both scored (22%). Besides, they faced challenges like uncertainty to pay EMI due to gradual capital deficient (32%), uncertainty in paying other taxes and unable to scale business both scored (18%) while returning a loan. To resolve this issue (72%) of the respondents believes that government should take initiatives and prefer 12 moths as perfect grace periods (46%). Therefore, this study suggests that government, policymakers, private sector organizations, lending institutions and relevant authorities should come forward and ensure financial literacy, different types of easy funds and grace periods, collaboration among educational institutions and private secto lending agencies, etc. so that the student entrepreneus can take part in the growth of the economy in the country
Making the “invisible” visible: Inclusive higher education policies for students with disabilities in a developing country context
No full textThe right to education is reflected in the essential safeguards of 1966 International Covenant on Economic, social , and cultural rights, 1989 convention on the rights of the child as well as emphasized as a tool for individual facilitation in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Yet, achieving inclusive education seems to be a farfetched concept for many, especially in the developing country context. Access to higher education is one of the essential steps towards ensuring a secured and standard living standard. However, in developing countries, access to higher education is still limited to the privileged sections of the society. Moreso, students with disabilities are rarely found to access higher education which largely limits their possibilities to life. This paper is a qualitative study based on 20 interviews taken both higher education authorities and faculties as well as students with disabilities at the University of Dhaka, which is the largest and oldest public university of Bangladesh. This paper takes a holistic approach to assess the policy and practices of inclusive education at the University of Dhaka. Though an extensive study and analysis, the paper realizes the vitality of a well formulated inclusive education policy and its prompt implementation drawing upon the lived experiences of students with disabilities and analysis of existing policy architecture, the paper concludes that, students with disabilities must be made “visible” to bring about visible changes in the policy and practice in Bangladesh
Grievance Redress Mechanism of the OMS program in Bangladesh: Rhetoric and Reality
No full textBangladesh has been addressing chronic poverty since 1971 through social security programs, primarily in rural areas. Urbanization has increased the number of urban poor, and the Open Market Sale program has not been significantly improved. This study aims to assess the Grievance Redress Mechanism of the OMS program in this country. This study employed a qualitative methodology and an exploratory research design. A total of 20 in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with carefully selected beneficiaries, while 10 key informant interviews (KIIs) were carried out with program administrators, local vendors, and community leaders to gather primary data. Secondary data were gathered by analyzing government reports, research articles, and reports on the Grievance Redress Mechanism of the OMS program. The study found that the method is not being effectively implemented since the beneficiaries are unable to comprehend the instructions due to the lack of clarity in the online system. Moreover, the beneficiaries\u27 apprehension towards the corrupt officials and the merchants\u27 affiliations with political elites deter them from expressing their grievances against them. The authorities should prioritize the effective implementation of the grievance redress mechanism of the OMS program, as the input of multiple perspectives is crucial for the success of this program
Does Digitalization Bring Efficiency in Public Procurement Management? An Evaluation of Bangladesh’s Electronic Government Procurement System (e-GP)
No full textElectronic Government Procurement (e-GP) is primarily a public procurement reform initiative undertaken by the Bangladesh government to streamline procurement activities efficiently and effectively by procuring agencies. The study investigated the Procuring Entities (PEs) and the Bidders nationwide. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among bidders from 64 Districts, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held with different leading Procurement Entities (PEs) to determine the effectiveness of the e-GP System. It has been found that it helps to ensure efficiency in many dimensions of the procurement process. The e-GP System is faster, time-saving, user-friendly, and less procedural than the conventional procurement process. The study also found that the procurement lead time has reduced substantially and increased competition by many folds due to the adoption of the e-GP System. The System has brought efficiency by reducing corruption, costs, visits, procurement lead time and saving public funds. However, the competition in OTM (Works), language barriers and centralised training for e-GP remained as issues. A fully automated e-GP system could be a comprehensive solution to the conventional paper-based procurement process, overcoming these problems and ensuring ultimate success
Role of Microcredit to Empower Women in Bangladesh : An Investigation on two NGOs in Shariatpur District
No full textFor decades, studies on women’s empowerment have concentrated on assessing the processes, effects, and obstacles linked to microfinance initiatives executed by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Although several studies have demonstrated notable results, others have provided evidence of minimal or insignificant effects, rendering the efficacy of these programs a matter of contention. This study addresses a significant geographical gap by investigating the effects of microfinance programs on women’s empowerment in Shariatpur, one of Bangladesh’s least developed districts, where no previous research has been undertaken. This research assesses the eficacy of microcredit programs implemented by two local NGOs—Shariatpur Development Society and Naria Unnayan Samiti—in fostering personal, relational, and economic empowerment among women in Charmahiskali village. Both organisations have played a role in expanding access to microcredit and initiating community engagement activities; however, their overall impacts appear to be Limited in the long run due to structural and socio-cultural challenges. The study employed a qualitative technique, employing a two-fold data collection strategy that incorporates primary and secondary sources through content analysis, surveys, and in-depth interviews. It focusses on women who have availed microcredit multiple times to evaluate their ongoing development across ten essential indicators of empowerment. Findings reveals that, although microcredit program by two local NGOs has improved women’s self-confidence, familial respect, and involvement in household decision- making, its overall effect is limited. The majority of individuals utilized the loans for domestic expenditure, yielding no significant long-term advantages. Moreover, high interest rates, inadequate training, patriarchal norms, and persistent social obstacles diminish the capacity of these initiatives to achieve substantial empowerment. Thus, this research concludes that microfinance exerts a minimal influence on the empowerment of women in the studied region.
Barriers to Effective Digital Local Governance: A qualitative insight on Municipalities in Bangladesh
No full textThe study aimed to explore the barriers associated with local governance that impede the effectiveness of digital transformation. The study followed the phenomenological approach of qualitative research to explore deeper insights into the problems. The study selected 16 respondents from four municipalities across four divisions (Dhaka, Mymensingh, Rangpur and Rajshahi), using a purposive sampling technique. The major findings are that local government digital infrastructure is not adequate to provide service digitally. The local government revenues are not sufficient to invest in digital equipment, making all departments of the municipality digital. Frequent server downtimes and limited device availability have hampered the service providers\u27 ability to provide timely services. Service providers receive short trainings and are not effective; instead, they should receive longer, more practical trainings. The government should intensify awareness campaigns and yard meetings to involve all stakeholders, as the majority of elderly individuals lack familiarity with digital services. The government\u27s existing policies are insufficient for data privacy, and they require updating to align with digital transformation needs. However, e-participation and citizen engagement are playing pivotal roles for effective digital transformation, helping to reduce time, visitation, and cost, ensuring transparency, and fostering citizen trust in the local governance service delivery process
Extrajudicial Killings in Bangladesh by Law Enforcement Agencies: A Cultural Perspective: Extrajudicial Killings in Bangladesh: A Cultural Perspective
No full textCulture shapes behavior and society and eventually it shapes a society\u27s common phenomena. Extrajudicial killings are widespread in Bangladesh. Extrajudicial killing threatens rule of law and human rights. This study assessed how culture affects extrajudicial killings by law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh. This study employed qualitative design and data was collected through in-depth interviews with purposively sampled respondents and content analysis of secondary sources. Based on the famous cross-cultural theory of Greet Hofstede, depending on five distinct cultural dimensions, data has been analyzed manually. Each of the dimensions of culture has been proven as influencing to the phenomena of extrajudicial killings except one. Four have been found to be associated with the phenomenon of extrajudicial killings in a way that their presence or absence may influence extrajudicial killings. However, ‘uncertainty avoidance’ could not be proven to influence extrajudicial killings though gathered data and secondary literature. Further research may reveal this specific dimension. However, this study has been concluded that cultural elements and practices have influence on the phenomenon of extrajudicial killing and based on the cultural values and norms of the society, pattern, incidents and perceptions of extrajudicial killing may vary
An Investigation of the Effects of Cyberbullying among University Students in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textCyberbullying constitutes a form of online activity characterized by intentional and repetitive actions aimed at causing harm, harassment, intimidation, or humiliation to an individual. It is associated with a host of challenges, such as low self-esteem, social isolation, depression, emotional distress, and poor academic results. With the advent of advanced technology, the ramifications of cyberbullying have escalated considerably. This research endeavours to examine the social and psychological ramifications of cyberbullying on university students in Bangladesh. The investigation also evaluated the impact of cyberbullying on students\u27 academic performance and portrayed recommendations for enhancing the situation within the relevant domain. However, a self-structured questionnaire was constructed to collect data through the survey method. In addition to the survey, a questionnaire was created using Mail Questinnaire to expand the reach to a broader spectrum of respondents. 210 questionnaires were collected for the study using the purposive sampling technique. Both primary data and secondary data have been used to fulfil the objective. As primary data, interviews with the victims among the students have been taken, and as secondary data, various articles and reports have been reviewed. SPSS Version 22 was employed for data analysis. This research has identified that students are subject to diverse forms of cyberbullying, resulting in a range of social, psychological, and academic difficulties. These challenges exert adverse effects on their lives across multiple dimensions. Additionally, the investigation reveals that victims of cyberbullying often confide in peers who are unable to offer practical solutions. This study has embodied some recommendations that will unlock ways to improve this area. The study implies that university authorities should launch extensive awareness efforts and educational programmes to teach students how to prevent and respond to cyberbullying. Universities may need to allocate resources to establish mental health and support services to assist those affected by cyberbullying, as it is evident from this study that the mental health and well-being of students are at stake