Malaysia, Bangladesh agree to boost higher education and skill development

Malaysia and Bangladesh have agreed to strengthen cooperation in higher education, scholarships, and skill development following a bilateral meeting in Putrajaya on Friday.

Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for Education, Labour, and Employment, met with Malaysian Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir at the Ministry of Higher Education. Ariful Haque Choudhury, Minister for Expatriate Welfare, Overseas Employment, Labour, and Employment, also attended the session.

The discussion focused on research collaboration, workforce mobility, and expanding scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students. Both sides emphasised improving the integration of Bangladeshi students into Malaysian society.

The Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia stated that both parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral ties in education. Malaysia formally recognised the mandate of the newly elected government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and pledged to deepen institutional engagement under new policy frameworks.

Adviser Mahdi Amin highlighted the priority of enhancing the global competitiveness of Bangladesh’s human resources. He urged Malaysian authorities to increase scholarships and establish a structured support system to ensure the welfare, safety, and social integration of the 11,000 Bangladeshi students currently studying in Malaysia.

Amin further proposed strengthening inter-university partnerships, expanding academic exchange programmes, and developing joint educational projects. Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir welcomed these proposals, noting Malaysia’s readiness to consider expanding scholarship allocations under existing and future schemes.

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The meeting also covered the expansion of mutually recognised qualifications, joint degree programmes, and distance learning. Both nations agreed on the importance of aligning academic programmes with the demands of their respective labour markets and priority sectors.

Earlier on Thursday, Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury and Adviser Mahdi Amin met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at his office. They also held talks with a delegation led by Malaysian Human Resources Minister Dato' Sri Saravanan Murugan to discuss labour and employment issues.