UGC plans to allow foreign universities to open branches in Bangladesh
Policy will also facilitate overseas expansion by local universities.
Highlights:
- Private universities may soon offer PhDs
- Emerging technology programmes get policy focus
- UCSI seeks expanded academic operations locally
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is drafting a policy to allow internationally recognised foreign universities to establish branch campuses or study centres in Bangladesh, UGC Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed said today (20 September).
"The planned Cross-Border Higher Education Policy will also allow eligible Bangladeshi universities to establish branch campuses abroad," he made the remarks during a meeting with a 10-member delegation from Malaysia's UCSI University at the UGC office.
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Professor Mamun said the commission would assess education quality, the academic environment, governance and students' interests before approving any foreign university to operate a branch campus in Bangladesh.
Approved foreign institutions would also have to maintain education standards comparable to those of their main campuses, he added.
The UGC chairman further said universities would be encouraged to introduce programmes aligned with Bangladesh's development needs, particularly in artificial intelligence, data science, cyber security, robotics, renewable energy and other emerging technology fields.
He said eligible private universities would soon be allowed to launch PhD programmes, subject to national priorities and the institutions' capacity. "The commission is meanwhile working to expand scholarships, internships, joint research and joint-degree opportunities between Bangladeshi and foreign universities."
Professor Mamun also sought UCSI University's cooperation in helping Bangladeshi universities establish branch campuses in Malaysia as part of efforts to expand the country's higher education sector internationally.
The UCSI delegation expressed interest in expanding the university's academic operations in Bangladesh and sought approval to offer additional programmes and PhD degrees.
The Malaysian university also proposed scholarships, joint-degree programmes and other academic opportunities for Bangladeshi students, alongside reasonable tuition fees and fee waivers.
The delegation expressed interest in participating in the UGC's overseas scholarship programmes for Bangladeshi teachers as well.
UCSI University is a private university in Malaysia and operates a branch campus in Banani, Dhaka.
UGC Secretary Md Fakhrul Islam and other relevant commission officials attended the meeting.
