Policy Document:
https://sustainability.du.ac.bd/sdg_menu_details/77 

Statement:
Dhaka University (DU) operates within Bangladesh’s national anti-corruption and integrity architecture, and its own policies are explicitly aligned with:

• The Government of Bangladesh’s National Integrity Strategy (NIS) 2012, which mandates transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in public institutions;
• The Annual Performance Agreement (APA) framework coordinated by the Cabinet Division — requiring every public university to publish measurable goals and report progress publicly;
• The Right to Information Act 2009, which ensures open access to governance and financial information;
• The Code of Conduct for Public Officials (2018) enforced by the Ministry of Public Administration.

By aligning with these frameworks, DU ensures that its internal mechanisms on corruption prevention are nationally consistent and externally verifiable — a key expectation under SDG 16.

1, Institutional Mechanisms at Dhaka University

1. Annual Performance Agreement (APA): DU signs and publicly uploads its APA each fiscal year (apa.du.ac.bd). The APA includes specific key performance indicators (KPIs) on integrity, internal audit compliance, and ethical governance.

• Each administrative unit reports quarterly on these indicators.
• The Vice-Chancellor’s Office monitors completion, while the Ministry of Education reviews performance scores.
• Results are published annually for public review.

 

b. Internal Audit and Finance Controls: DU’s Finance and Accounts Section, together with the University Audit Department, conducts internal audits that are then reviewed by the Syndicate’s Finance Committee. All tender notices, procurement reports, and budget summaries are publicly available via the DU website — reflecting compliance with anti-bribery transparency standards.

c. Ethics Committees: An institutional Ethics Committee functions under the Office of the Vice-Chancellor to investigate misconduct, recommend disciplinary measures, and uphold academic and administrative integrity. Every faculty and institute maintains a departmental ethics committee (as referenced in the DU Research and Publication Guidelines 2023), embedding ethical oversight at grassroots level.

d. Complaints and Redress System: The Complaints and Redress Committee (CRC) provides a formal channel for staff, students, and stakeholders to report corruption, harassment, or malpractice. Complaints can be lodged confidentially; outcomes and disciplinary actions are reported to the Syndicate and summarized in the annual administrative report.

e. Whistleblower Protection: DU follows the principles of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2011, ensuring non-retaliation for individuals who disclose corruption or irregularities. Anonymous reporting channels (including the Proctor’s Office and Registrar’s grievance desk) are available to protect complainants’ identities.

f. Training and Capacity Building: In collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), DU’s IQAC and administrative sections organize annual training and awareness sessions for officers and employees on the themes of integrity, ethics, and financial transparency.

Example: “Integrity Awareness Week 2024” workshops held across faculties emphasized APA compliance, procurement ethics, and prevention of workplace corruption (DU News Archive, October 2024).

Policy Transparency and Public Disclosure

• All relevant policies (APA, budget summaries, tender announcements) are available on the DU Governance Portal and archived in the Annual Report 2023–24 (du.ac.bd/assets/AR_2023_2024.pdf).
• The Annual Integrity Scorecard prepared under APA oversight lists DU’s performance in ethics, procurement transparency, and grievance management — measurable evidence of SDG 16 compliance.
• The Finance Committee and Audit Reports are tabled at the Senate and Syndicate meetings, ensuring public accountability.