Teachers’ regular training and technology-driven teaching methods are essential to improving the quality of higher education, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Mamun Ahmed said while inaugurating a faculty development programme at Bangladesh Open University.
A four-month “Professional Development Training for University Faculty” programme was inaugurated at Bangladesh Open University (BOU) in Gazipur on Sunday, aiming to enhance teaching skills, promote modern pedagogical methods and strengthen professional capacity among university teachers.
The programme is being implemented under the Higher Education Improvement Project (HEIP) of the UGC with financial support from the World Bank.
Mamun Ahmed attended the event as the chief guest and formally inaugurated the training. He said residential training helps build strong networks, mutual understanding and long-term professional relationships among participants. He added that such initiatives can help reduce the gap between teachers and students in the current academic environment.
Chairing the event, BOU Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan said the university has been playing a significant role in expanding access to education for over three decades, particularly among marginalised communities.
He said continuous professional development is essential to make higher education globally competitive and expressed hope that the training would enhance participants’ knowledge, skills and professional competencies.
Among others, UGC members Mohammad Anwar Hossen, Md Saidur Rahman, Masuma Habib and Mohammad Ayub Islam spoke at the event.
World Bank Senior Consultant Md Mahmudul Haque and course director Mohammad Jahir Raihan also addressed the session.
Project Director Asaduzzaman delivered the welcome speech, while two participating teachers shared their experiences.
BOU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Sayeed Ferdous, Acting Registrar T M Ahmed Hossain, UGC officials and teachers from various public and private universities were present.
A total of 59 teachers from 33 universities — 35 from public and 24 from private institutions — are participating in the third and fourth batches of the programme.
The course will cover modern teaching techniques, student-centred learning, use of digital technologies, research capacity building and academic leadership development.
