National University (NU), the largest higher education institution in Bangladesh and the second largest in Asia, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to support the development of a skilled workforce. The MoU aims to equip National University students with skills that meet the needs of both national and international employers, preparing them for careers in the corporate sector, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), accounting firms, and the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.
The agreement was signed on 7 April, at the British High Commission’s residence in Dhaka. It was witnessed by Baroness Rosie Winterton, the UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh and a member of the UK House of Lords, alongside Sarah Cooke, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh. National University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor ASM Amanullah and ACCA Bangladesh Country Manager Proma Tapashi Khan FCCA, together with Senior Business Development Manager Shah Waliul Manzur, were also present at the signing.
In attendance were several key figures, including National University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Lutfor Rahman, Acting Director of the International Desk Raj Bin Kashem, Section Officer Nusrat Islam, Director of Trade at the British High Commission Sakib Ershad, and Trade and Investment Manager Syed Habibur Rahman.
The collaboration will allow National University students to gain access to the ACCA qualification pathway, starting with the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) programme. This initiative aims to enhance academic development and provide internationally recognised qualifications under ACCA, opening new employment opportunities for students.
Professor ASM Amanullah, Vice-Chancellor of National University, emphasised that the partnership would create a strong foundation for advancing accounting and finance education in Bangladesh. He said the collaboration would facilitate knowledge exchange, capacity building, and integration of global standards into the education system.
Baroness Rosie Winterton expressed her pleasure at witnessing the signing of the agreement, stating that it marked the formal launch of a partnership aimed at broadening access to international qualifications for 25,000 National University students. She described it as a significant example of the UK-Bangladesh partnership.
Proma Tapashi Khan, ACCA Bangladesh’s Country Manager, explained that for many students, education is about more than earning a degree; it’s about becoming employable. She highlighted that this partnership would offer National University students a practical pathway into the workforce through the Certified Accounting Technician programme.
