Education minister floats student-teacher exchange, joint research with Pakistan
Milon reiterated that student-teacher exchanges, joint research, and scholarship programmes could further strengthen bilateral relations.
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said joint collaboration and exchange programmes between universities in Bangladesh and Pakistan could be introduced in the future.
"There is scope for introducing student and teacher exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, and mutual scholarship schemes between the two countries," he said at the inauguration of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Education Expo 2026, held at the capital's Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel today (11 May).
The minister said Bangladesh currently has 57 public universities and around 116 private universities, adding that their academic activities are of a good standard.
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"However, exchange programmes between students and teachers would play an important role in strengthening educational ties."
He said such initiatives could help expand academic cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
"The government of Bangladesh provides various scholarships for meritorious students. However, Pakistan's scholarship programme is different, as students are selected through examinations," Milon said.
He expressed hope that more Bangladeshi students would get opportunities for higher education in Pakistan.
Milon reiterated that student-teacher exchanges, joint research, and scholarship programmes could further strengthen bilateral relations.
Addressing Bangladeshi students, he said that studying in Pakistan free of cost is a major opportunity.
"Along with education, students would also gain exposure to new experiences and cultural environments, which should be utilised," the minister added.
Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider said the "Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor" initiative is playing an important role in strengthening education cooperation between the two countries.
"During the visit of Pakistan's deputy prime minister and foreign minister to Bangladesh, 500 scholarships were announced for Bangladeshi students. The second phase of this initiative has now begun," Imran said.
He added that 74 Bangladeshi students have already started higher education in various universities in Pakistan under the first phase.
"They are studying subjects including engineering, information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), nanotechnology, medicine, social sciences, and emerging technologies."
He added that under these scholarships, students receive full tuition coverage, accommodation facilities, monthly stipends, one-time financial assistance, and travel expenses, enabling them to study free of cost in both public and private universities in Pakistan.
The high commissioner also said that over the next 10 days, Pakistan's Higher Education Commission and participating universities will organise education fairs in various cities, including Barishal, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, and Chattogram.
He emphasised expanding memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between universities of the two countries, as well as joint degree programmes, research collaboration, conferences, and faculty exchange initiatives.
