University Grants Commission (UGC) Member Professor Mohammad Anwar Hossen on Monday urged Malaysia to assist Bangladesh in strengthening higher education partnerships with member countries of BIMSTEC and OIC.
He made the call while speaking as chief guest at a joint meeting focused on networking between Bangladeshi and Malaysian universities, held at UGC auditorium.
UGC Chairman (Routine Charge) Professor Md Saidur Rahman presided over the event. Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Shuhada Othman, Director of Malaysia’s Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) Harshita Aini Haroon, UGC Secretary Mohammad Fakhrul Islam, Director of the International Cooperation Division Jesmin Parvin, and Chief Executive Officer of Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) Novie Tajuddin also addressed the programme.
Professor Anwar said the two nations could collaborate to strengthen mutual cooperation in joint research, scholarship assistance for students, exchange of higher education-related information, and capacity building for students, teachers, and educational institutions.
He specifically sought Malaysian cooperation in improving the rankings of Bangladeshi universities, enhancing professional capacity, making students job-ready, formulating research policies, and increasing collaboration with industrial and commercial enterprises.
In his presidential address, Professor Saidur highlighted the long-standing historical, cultural, and diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Malaysia, noting that these relations have strengthened over time based on mutual respect and friendship.
He described education as one of the strongest pillars of the bilateral relationship, noting that thousands of Bangladeshi students have benefited from quality higher education in Malaysia.
Saidur further remarked that the meeting served as a strategic platform for building meaningful partnerships.
The participation of representatives from approximately 52 Bangladeshi universities alongside Malaysian institutions reflects a joint commitment to excellence, innovation, internationalisation, and cooperation in higher education.
Malaysian High Commissioner Suhada noted that thousands of Bangladeshi students are currently pursuing higher education in Malaysia, reflecting their trust in the country’s education system.
She attributed this preference to internationally recognised quality education, relatively affordable costs, and a safe, multicultural environment.
The high commissioner emphasised that education is a powerful tool for developing future leadership and building bridges between nations. She highlighted that Bangladesh’s large working population and focus on human resource development offer extensive opportunities for close cooperation in technical training, research, and academic exchanges.
According to the high commissioner, there are currently 11,401 Bangladeshi students studying in various Malaysian higher education institutions, making them the third-largest group of international students in the country. Most of these students are enrolled in private universities.
EMGS Chief Executive Officer Novie reported that the number of Bangladeshi students in Malaysia has increased by approximately 45 per cent compared to the previous year, driven by interest in quality education and modern academic environments.
