International offices to be established at all universities: UGC official

The government has taken an initiative to establish International Offices at all universities across Bangladesh this year with the aim of strengthening academic and research collaboration with foreign universities, and expanding access to global research funds.

Professor Abdullah Al-Mamun, a member of the Public University Management Division of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, made these remarks at a ceremony marking the launch of digital services at the Bangladesh Open University (BOU).

The university arranged the programme at 4:00pm on Wednesday.

At the event, three modern digital services for the university were launched: the MyBOU Mobile App, the e-Attendance System, and the Complaint/Services Management System.

Prof Abdullah Al-Mamun emphasized the importance of developing an institutional framework to strengthen international cooperation in higher education. He said the initiatives, undertaken as part of implementing the government’s election manifesto, aim to make Bangladesh’s higher education system more international, inclusive, and competitive.

By attracting foreign students, expanding international research collaboration, and strengthening the institutional capacities of universities, Bangladesh will have an opportunity to establish itself as an attractive higher education destination in South Asia and the wider region.

Alongside improving the quality of higher education, the initiative will expand opportunities for knowledge exchange, research, cultural engagement, and international cooperation. It will also create opportunities to involve Bangladeshi teachers, researchers, and professionals working abroad in the country’s higher education activities.

He further said the current government plans to introduce a centralized online portal called Study Bangladesh to simplify the application process for foreign students seeking admission to Bangladeshi universities.

According to the government’s plan, 20 universities will initially be brought under the portal. To this end, the University Grants Commission has already invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from universities for selection under its Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project.

Although some universities in Bangladesh already have International Offices, the current government has taken the initiative to establish such offices at all public universities within this year. Private universities are also being encouraged to establish their own International Offices.

Through the proposed portal, international students will be able to access essential information about Bangladeshi universities and apply for admission online. This is expected to increase the visibility of the country’s higher education institutions among international students and expand opportunities to attract students from abroad.

The proposed International Offices will facilitate academic collaboration with foreign universities, create scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students, promote joint degree programs, and undertake various other international cooperation activities.

Highlighting the importance of the concept of “brain circulation,” Professor Dr Abdullah Al-Mamun said effective mechanisms must be developed to utilize the knowledge, skills, and experience acquired abroad in the teaching and research activities of universities in Bangladesh.

Such efforts, he noted, would help improve research quality, generate new knowledge, and strengthen the position of Bangladeshi universities internationally.

Referring to the newly launched digital services of Bangladesh Open University, he said their introduction would create opportunities to improve administrative efficiency through technology, streamline attendance management, and enhance complaint-handling and service delivery systems.

He added that coordinated implementation of digital transformation and international cooperation initiatives in higher education would strengthen the institutional capacities of universities and help create new opportunities for students and researchers.

Special guests at the event included Professor Dr Anisur Rahman, pro-vice-chancellor (academic) of Bangladesh Open University; Professor Dr Md Sirajul Islam, pro-vice-chancellor (administration); and Professor Dr Sheikh Rafiqul Islam, treasurer.

The event was chaired by Professor Dr Mohammad Siddikur Rahman Khan, vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Open University.