New Brill Book Calls for a Research University Movement in the Global South

A bold new book by Dr. Syed Saad Andaleeb—Research Universities and Academic Renaissance in the Global South: Lessons from Bangladesh—has been released by Brill, a premier global academic publisher. The book presents a compelling argument: to overcome underdevelopment and dependence, countries of the Global South must urgently invest in building research-intensive universities that are contextually grounded and globally competitive.

Dr. Andaleeb, a former Vice Chancellor of BRAC University and Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Pennsylvania State University, draws on four decades of academic leadership to craft a visionary yet pragmatic roadmap for transforming higher education. He critically analyzes the structural limitations of South Asian universities—particularly in Bangladesh—and outlines how a deep-rooted neglect of research has stunted institutional growth and national progress.

In his foreword, eminent economist Professor Rehman Sobhan observes:
“The work points out how the insufficient emphasis on research and its depreciated quality in Bangladesh today has contributed to Bangladesh's underdevelopment and externally dependent status.”

He further commends the book’s broader relevance in confronting intellectual colonialism: “The author's mission to educate its prospective readers on the nature of neo-colonial agenda for using knowledge as an instrument for perpetuating their economic and political domination of the global North over the colonial world.”

An anonymous peer reviewer noted: “This book has the potential to be a seminal work in the field of higher education in developing countries. Its thorough analysis, practical recommendations, and innovative approach make it a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, and scholars alike.”

The book combines empirical insights, policy frameworks, and real-life case studies—including experiential insights from BRAC University—to challenge prevailing models and propose a new academic vision rooted in local agency, research excellence, and global engagement.

Now available in print and digital formats, Research Universities and Academic Renaissance in the Global South is a must-read for university leaders, governments, international donors, and anyone invested in reshaping higher education’s role in national development.