Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies
| বাংলাদেশ উন্নয়ন গবেষণা প্রতিষ্ঠান (বিআইডিএস) | |
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1957 |
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| Type | Autonomous (Public Body) |
| Jurisdiction | Multi-disciplinary Social Research |
| Headquarters | E-17, Agargaon, Dhaka-1207 |
| Employees | 140 (Posts=197) |
| Minister responsible |
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| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Ministry of Planning, Bangladesh |
| Website | http://www.bids.org.bd |
The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ উন্নয়ন গবেষণা প্রতিষ্ঠান (বিআইডিএস)) is an autonomous multi-disciplinary public research organization that conducts policy research on development issues for Bangladesh. Supported by the Government of Bangladesh, BIDS functions as a think tank, helping formulate socio-economic policies. The institute conducts research and promotes study and education in development economics, rural development, demographics and social sciences.
History
The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) had its origin in Pakistan, named as the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and established in June 1957. From the very beginning, PIDE was served by a significant number of Bengali scholars and a distinguished body of foreign scholars. Through its performance, PIDE attracted bright young economists and social scientists who began their career at the Institute. The PIDE was moved to Dhaka in January 1971.
After the emergence of independent Bangladesh in 1971, the Institute was called the Bangladesh Institute of Development Economics (BIDE). Later on, a Parliamentary Charter was awarded in 1974 and the Institute was renamed as the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) to reflect its multidisciplinary focus of development research. It was incorporated as an autonomous body, governed by a high powered Board of Trustees under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Since 1974, through a process of national level institutional restructuring, two other institutions––the Population Study Centre and the National Foundation for Research on Human Resources Development–– were merged with BIDS in 1982 and 1983 respectively.
With its multidisciplinary focus on development, evolving development paradigm, and changing economic and social realities of the country, the research focus of BIDS covers a wide range of issues including macroeconomic fundamentals, agriculture and rural development, poverty and inequality, trade, food security, microcredit, industry and small and medium enterprises, labor market, health, nutrition, education, rural nonfarm activities, environment and climate change, water resources management, energy, gender and empowerment, migration, urbanization and other areas of dynamics of development in Bangladesh and developing countries in general. Emerging priority issues include macroeconomic management, environment and climate change impacts, infrastructure including energy and power, and impact of globalization.
Initially, funding for BIDS was made through regular government budgetary support. In 1983, the Government created an endowment fund to ensure a source of recurring revenue for running the Institute, thereby reducing its dependence on regular budgetary support, and enabling BIDS to enjoy more functional autonomy. In 2009, the Government provided a Research Endowment Fund of Tk. 200 million to support core institutional research of BIDS. Some donor agencies and foundations also provide resources for its activities.
Research Divisions
Agriculture and Rural Development Division (ARDD)
The Agriculture and Rural Development Division (ARDD) deals with issues related to agriculture, natural resources management, and rural development.
General Economics Division (GED)
The research in the General Economics Division (GED) is concerned with macroeconomic management, globalization and trade, monetary and fiscal policy regimes, and related development issues.
Human Resources Development Division (HRDD)
The mandate of the Human Resources Development Division (HRDD) is to carry out research on issues related to human resources including education, health, nutrition, poverty, and gender and empowerment issues.
Industry and Physical Infrastructure Division (IPID)
All research related to manufacturing activities including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), micro enterprises, rural industries, and infrastructure are carried out in the Industry and Physical Infrastructure Division (IPID).
Population Studies Division (PSD)
The Population Studies Division (PSD) has demographers and other researchers.
Library
The BIDS library has a collection of over 140,000 books, documents, journals and Studies.
Publications
The Publication Section publishes books, journals, policy briefs, monographs, and other reports for promoting a wide dissemination of BIDS research activities and findings. The Section, with equipment to meet the Institute's publishing requirements, also provides sales services to its local and foreign customers and promotes BIDS publication through complimentary and exchange programs. The BIDS publications have wide circulation amongst researchers, policymakers and the general readers.
The Bangladesh Development Studies(BDS) is the quarterly journal of the Institute. This is published in English. It enjoys international reputation and is currently in its 35th years of publication. The BDS carries research articles, notes, and book reviews by BIDS researchers as well as by national and international scholars.
The Bangladesh Unnayan Samikkhya (BUS) is published annually in Bangla. It contains articles, notes, and book reviews. It is widely read by students and researchers as well as by people of different walks of life interested in development issues.
References
- BIDS Homepage: http://www.bids.org.bd
- Khosru, Farrukh. "Bangladesh Development Reports". Shaping reporting for development and economy update. the Regional Reporting Society. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
Coordinates: 23°46′44″N 90°22′22″E / 23.7790°N 90.3729°E