UGC to discuss policies with VCs on Friday

The dialogue is being organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project, said a press release.

Around 60 vice-chancellors of public and private universities, along with policymakers, senior government officials, local and international academics, experts, and representatives of the UGC and HEAT project, will participate in the event.

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Bangladesh’s higher education sector is currently facing new realities, including rapid technological changes, particularly the development of artificial intelligence, changing labour market demands, growing expectations for quality and accountability, and increasing global competition.

Against this backdrop, emphasis is being placed on transforming universities into more innovative, accountable and well-governed institutions capable of producing skilled graduates equipped for a rapidly changing world.

The two-day dialogue will cover a range of important issues, including strategic leadership and governance in higher education, exchanges with policymakers, teaching excellence and assessment, quality assurance and internationalisation, research and innovation, university-industry collaboration, financial and procurement management, and the role of HEAT project initiatives in transforming higher education.

Other areas of discussion will include curriculum reform, student support and employability, and strategic planning for higher education. Vice-chancellors will also participate in group discussions.

On the first day, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin will attend an interaction session with higher education policymakers at 11am.

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon will attend the closing session at 3pm on Saturday. UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed will chair the session.

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The dialogue is expected to help develop a shared understanding of the key challenges and opportunities facing higher education in Bangladesh, facilitate the exchange of experiences and good practices among university leaders, and strengthen academic leadership and governance.

It will also seek to expand quality teaching, research and innovation, enhance university-industry collaboration, and identify effective measures for future higher education in line with artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

Observations and recommendations emerging from the dialogue will be compiled for consideration in future HEAT project initiatives and the country’s higher education transformation efforts.