Dr Yeahia Akhter of Department of Political Science of Chittagong University has been awarded a "Senior Research Fellowship" for a study on problems of governance in public universities. The four recipients of the younger category of "Research Fellowships" are: Hossainul Haque of SAP Bangladesh to study the delivery system of public pension; Zakir Hossain Raju of Independent University Bangladesh (IUB) for a study on media and governance; Akhter Mahmud of Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Janhangirnagar University to study the planning and permission process in Rajuk; and Shakir Khondoker Shahrier, Advocate of Supreme Court, for a study on the judicial system.

Fellows are expected to produce original research reports within 6-9 months for distribution among all the stakeholders. Findings are expected to be used for advocacy.

The main objective of the TIB Fellowships is to contribute to innovative and effective strategies and tools for combating corruption and promoting accountable governance. It is also expected to strengthen anti-corruption research capacity of interested professionals.