The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies Ordinance, 1984

An Ordinance to provide for the incorporation of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies.

Ordinance NO. XXVII OF 1984

17th April, 1984

An Ordinance to provide for the incorporation of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies. WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the incorporation of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies and matters connected thereto; NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamation of the 24th march, 1982, and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:-

Section 1. Short title

This Ordinance may be called the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies Ordinance, 1984.

Section 2. Definitions

In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,-

(a) “Board” means the Board of Governors of the Institute;

(b) “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board;

(d) “Institute” means the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies incorporated under this Ordinance;

(e) “member” means a member of the Board;

(f) “Prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Ordinance; and

(g) “Vice-Chairman” means the Vice-Chairman of the Board.

Section 3. Incorporation of the Institute

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, established by the Government is hereby constituted a body corporate by the said name and as such body corporate it shall have perpetual succession and a common seal with power, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and shall by the said name sue and be sued.

Section 4. Headquarters of the Institute

(1) The headquarters of the Institute shall be at Dhaka.

(2) The Institute may establish its branches at such places as the Board may decide.

Section 5. Aims and objects of the Institute

(1) The aims and objects of the Institute shall be-

(a) to undertake and promote studies, research and dissemination of knowledge in respect of international relations, national issues and policies relating to security, defence and external relations, and international peace and security including its strategic aspects;

(b) to assist the Government, when required by it, in the planning, formulation and implementation of policies in the fields mentioned in clause (a);

(c) to provide a forum for exchange of knowledge and views among persons in the service of the Republic and scholars in such fields with a view of fostering better understanding of relevant national and international issues and policies;

(d) to exchange information, views and materials with the agencies and scholars engaged in similar studies and research within and outside the country; and

(e) to act as a documentation centre for international affairs and strategic studies.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the above aims and objects, the Institute shall have power-

(a) to hold meetings and arrange lectures, seminars and conferences for better understanding of relevant national and international issues in the fields mentioned in sub-section (1)(a);

(b) to publish books, periodicals and reports on studies in the Institute;

(c) to institute Research Scholarships and Fellowships for encouraging studies in various fields relevant to the aims and objects of the Institute; and

(d) to take such other actions as may further the aims and objects of the Institute.

Section 6. Management

The general direction and superintendence of the affairs of the Institute shall vest in a Board of Governors which may exercise all powers and do all acts and things which may be exercised or done by the Institute in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.

Section 7. Board of Governors

(1) The Board of Governors shall consist of the following members, namely:-

(a) a Chairman to be appointed by the Government;

(b) a Vice-Chairman to be appointed by the Government;

(d) the Secretary, Defence Division, ex-officio;

(e) the Secretary, Finance Division, ex-officio;

(f) an Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to be nominated by that Ministry;

(g) the Chief of General Staff, Bangladesh Army, ex-officio;

(h) the Director-General (Research), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ex-officio;

(i) the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, ex-officio;

(j) the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, ex-officio; and

(k) the Director-General, ex-officio.

(2) The Board may co-opt as its members three specialists or scholars in the fields of studies with which the Institute is concerned.

Section 8. Chairman and Vice-Chairman

(1) The Chairman and the Vice-Chairman shall hold office on such terms and conditions as the Government may determine.

(2) The Chairman and the Vice-Chairman shall perform such functions as the Government may direct or as may be prescribed.

Section 9. Director-General

(1) There shall be a Director-General of the Institute who shall be appointed by the Government on such terms and conditions as the Government may determine.

(2) The Director-General shall be the Chief Executive of the Institute and shall, on behalf of the Board, direct and control the affairs of the Institute in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.

(3) The Director-General shall act as the Secretary to the Board.

(4) The Director-General shall be responsible for the implementation of the decision of the Board.

Section 10. Meetings of the Board

(1) The meetings of the Board shall be held at such times and places as may be decided by the Chairman.

(2) Five members including the Chairman shall form the quorum at a meeting of the Board.

(3) At a meeting of the Board each member shall have one vote and in the event of equality of votes, the person presiding shall have a second or casting vote.

(4) The meeting of the Board shall be presided over by the Chairman, and in his absence, by the Vice-Chairman, and in the absence of both, by a member elected for the purpose by the members present.

(5) No act or proceeding of the Board shall be invalid merely on the ground of the existence of any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Board.

Section 11. Senior Fellows

(1) There shall be not more than ten Senior Fellows of the Institute who shall be appointed by the Board from persons who have attained eminence in the fields of diplomacy, international relations, international economics, political science, defence, international security, international law and strategic study.

(2) A Senior Fellow shall hold office for a term of three years on such conditions as the Board may determine and shall be eligible for reappointment.

(3) A Senior Fellow shall advise and assist the Institute in the formulation and conduct of plans and projects for research, training and other activities.

(4) A Senior Fellow who, except for unavoidable reasons to be intimated in writing to the Director-General, fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Senior Fellows convened by the Director-General shall cease to be such Fellow, if the Board so decides.

Section 12. Officers and employees

The Institute may appoint such officers and employees as it considers necessary for the efficient performance of its functions on such terms and conditions as it may deem fit.

Section 13. Fund

(1) The Institute shall have its own fund which shall consist of-

(a) grants made by the Government;

(b) gifts and endowments;

(d) sale proceeds, and royalties of publications; and

(e) moneys received from any other source.

(2) All moneys credited to the Fund of the Institute shall be deposited in such bank or invested in such manner as the Board may decide.

Section 14. Budget

The Institute shall, by such date in each year as may be prescribed, submit to the Government for approval, a budget in the prescribed form for each financial year showing the estimated receipts and expenditure and the sums which are likely to be required from the Government during that financial year.

Section 15. Accounts and audit

(1) The Institute shall maintain in the prescribed manner its accounts which shall be audited annually by such auditors as may be appointed by the Board in this behalf.

(2) The accounts of the Institute, together with the audit report thereon, shall be forwarded annually to the Government.

Section 16. Annual report

The Institute shall prepare for every year a report of its activities during that year and submit it to the Government within sixty days after the expiry of that year.

Section 17. Indemnity

The members and the officers and employees of the Institute shall be indemnified by the Institute against all losses and expenses incurred by them in the discharge of their duties except such as are caused by their wilful act or default.

Section 18. Power to make rules

The Board may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance.