WUB, Malaysian university sign LoI to strengthen academic collaboration

World University of Bangladesh (WUB) and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish a framework for future research, academic and strategic collaboration.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday (3 November) during a two-day programme titled ‘International Research, Academic Excellence and Knowledge Exchange Programme’ at the WUB campus in Dhaka, said a WUB press release.

The programme featured an international seminar and signing ceremony, jointly organised by the two universities at the Founding Treasurer Morsheda Choudhury Auditorium.

Shiuneen Rasheed, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Bangladesh, attended the event as the chief guest. Faiz Mohd Mokhtar, First Secretary of the Malaysian High Commission in Bangladesh, and Dr M Abdul Aziz, president of the Society for IIUM Alumni Bangladesh and director general of BIIT, attended as guests of honour.

The event was chaired by the Vice Chairman of the WUB Board of Trustees, while WUB Registrar Professor Zaki Imam delivered the welcome address.

A high-level IIUM delegation included Professor Dr Mohamed Aslam Bin Mohamed Haneef, Deputy Rector for Research, Innovation and Development; Professor Dr Shukran Abd Rahman, Principal Director of the Office of Strategic Institution Transformation; and Dr Mohammad Mohiuddin, Special Officer at the Office of the Deputy Rector for Research, Innovation and Development.

The seminar was held under the theme ‘Universities in a Changing World: Navigating the Present, Shaping the Future, and Rethinking Higher Education in the Context of Bangladesh's National and Global Aspirations’.

Discussions focused on the changing role of universities, the future of higher education, research development and the opportunities and challenges facing the sector in Bangladesh.

The programme also featured research presentations by three WUB academics: Dr SM Mahmudul Hasan of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Public Health, Professor Dr Md Mizanur Rahman, Director of the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), and Professor Dr Selim Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies.

An interactive discussion forum moderated by Prof Dr AQM Shafiul Azam brought together representatives from both universities.

The initiative aims to promote knowledge and expertise exchange, expand joint research activities and create new opportunities for academic excellence between the two institutions.