KOICA Bangladesh, DU celebrate Korean Cultural Day 2026

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Bangladesh Office, in cooperation with Dhaka University (DU), organised Korean Cultural Day 2026 at the DU Institute of Modern Languages on Thursday, bringing together students, academics and cultural enthusiasts for a vibrant cultural exchange.

The programme featured a series of activities, including K-pop dance performances, interactive quiz contests and a K-pop dance imitation challenge. Participants also explored Korean heritage through exhibition booths, traditional games, a virtual reality showcase and a photo booth.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Jihoon Kim, country director of KOICA Bangladesh, said cultural exchange plays an important role in strengthening bilateral relations and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to fostering people-to-people connections alongside development cooperation.

Treasurer of Dhaka University Prof Dr Jahangir Alam Chowdhury praised the initiative, saying such events create valuable opportunities for students to engage with global cultures beyond the classroom. 

He said cultural exchange programmes help broaden perspectives, strengthen mutual understanding and inspire young people to become active global citizens.

Md Saifullah Panna, president of the KOICA Bangladesh Alumni Association and secretary (attached) to the Ministry of Public Administration, highlighted the role of alumni in strengthening ties between Bangladesh and the Republic of Korea.

He said KOICA alumni serve as important bridges between the two countries and encouraged students to explore learning and collaboration opportunities through the CIAT (Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow) programme, which offers master’s, PhD and short-term training scholarships each year to Bangladeshi government officials.

The programme also included a knowledge-sharing session on KOICA’s training and scholarship opportunities, reflecting the organisation’s continued commitment to capacity development and knowledge exchange.

The event ended with the handing over of certificates to volunteers from University of Dhaka.

In his closing remarks, Junsu Kim, deputy country director of KOICA Bangladesh, thanked all partners and participants for their active engagement.

Since 1993, KOICA has been working closely with Bangladesh to support sustainable development and strengthen bilateral cooperation. Korean Cultural Day 2026 reflected the shared commitment to deepening people-to-people ties through cultural understanding.