BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), an independent research and post-graduate teaching centre at Brac University, has been recognized as one of the Top 40 Transparency and Good Governance think tanks, and one of the Top 120 Social Policy think tanks worldwide in the internationally renowned ‘Global Go To Think Tank Index Report’ published by University of Pennsylvania last Thursday. It is also the only Bangladeshi research organization to be included in the Transparency and Good Governance category of the report.
“We are committed to engaging in research and projects that are relevant to Bangladesh and impactful in a global scale” said Brac University Vice-Chancellor Professor Vincent Chang.
The annual ranking, published by the Think Tanks and Civil Society Program (TTCSP) at the University of Pennsylvania since 2006, compares research institutions and think tanks across the world according by region, area of research, and special achievement. The 2020 rankings were compiled by evaluating perceptions submitted by nearly 4,000 policy makers, journalists, public and private donors, and functional and regional area specialists, which were then ranked and reviewed by expert panels comprised of international professionals from a spectrum of disciplines.
The category ‘Top Transparency and Good Governance Think Tanks’ in the report, recognizes the top organizations marked by their independency, neutral voice, and their specialization in good governance research, while the category of ‘Top Social Policy Think Tanks’ ranks leading social policy institutions that excel in research, analysis and public engagement on a wide range of policy issues such as inequality, education, and poverty, with the aim of advancing debate, facilitating cooperation between key actors in policymaking, and improving the overall quality of life.
BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), Brac University works towards promoting innovation and improvement in governance and development processes for a just and prosperous society, by influencing policy and practice using rigorous research and by building fit-for-future capabilities through quality educational programs. BIGD’s core competency lies in high-quality field-research using a broad range of cutting-edge methods in close engagement with the government and development partners. As a part of Brac University, BIGD also offers three masters level programs (Masters in Development Studies, Masters in Governance and Development and Masters in Procurement and Supply Management).
Formed in 2013 through the merger of two Brac University institutes - Institute of Governance Studies (IGS) and BRAC Development Institute (BDI), BIGD underwent another evolution in 2018, when BRAC transitioned its internal Research and Evaluation Division (RED) to three institutes of Brac University including BIGD.