3,800 Bangladeshis seek higher education in Pakistan this year; envoy pledges stronger academic cooperation

Nearly 3,800 Bangladeshi students have applied for higher education in Pakistan this year, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, said as he reaffirmed Islamabad's commitment to expanding academic cooperation with Bangladesh.

The high commissioner made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed at the commission's office today (7 July).

The two sides agreed in principle to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen institutional collaboration between universities in the two countries.

Imran Haider said Pakistani universities offer international students scholarships, accommodation, food and transport facilities. He added that education had been identified as a key area of bilateral cooperation during his recent meeting with Bangladesh's prime minister, saying closer university partnerships would foster research, innovation and skilled human resource development.

The meeting also discussed faculty and student exchange programmes, semester-long academic exchanges, joint training for teachers and university officials, research collaboration and innovation initiatives.

Both sides exchanged views on cooperation in science and technology education, research management, university governance, improving international university rankings and sharing Pakistan's experience with its "Knowledge Corridor" programme. They also expressed interest in launching joint higher education projects.

Prof Mamun Ahmed said the government's initiative to transform the UGC into a higher education commission could benefit from Pakistan's experience. He said closer cooperation with Pakistan's Higher Education Commission and universities would help strengthen research, innovation and institutional capacity in both countries.