British Council launches research on transnational education in Bangladesh

 The British Council released a pivotal research report today that offers valuable insights into the current state and future potential of Transnational Education (TNE) in Bangladesh.

The report underlines the opportunities and challenges students and educational institutions face.

The report was launched at an event hosted at the British Council's Fuller Road auditorium in Dhaka. The event brought together policymakers, representatives from higher education institutions, industry stakeholders, academic communities, and international education professionals to discuss different aspects and key areas of Transnational Education (TNE).

Professor Dr. SMA Faiz, the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman, attended the event as The Chief Guest. The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, attended the event as a Special guest. Salvador Carbajal Lopez, Director of Education, South Asia, British Council, shared the key findings from the research on Transnational Education in Bangladesh.

In his welcome note, Stephen Forbes, Country Director Bangladesh, British Council, said: "TNE can play a vital role in shaping the future of higher education in Bangladesh. This report helps identify challenges and opportunities for TNE growth in the country and closer cooperation between the UK and Bangladesh higher education sectors. TNE can bridge the gap in higher education access and drive economic growth for the country. We look forward to working with our partners in Bangladesh to move forward with the recommendations from the report."

Professor Dr. SMA Faiz, the Chairman of UGC, said, "I truly appreciate the British Council's commitment to fostering TNE collaboration between universities in Bangladesh and the UK, creating opportunities for academic excellence and institutional capacity-building. Strengthening these ties will mutually benefit both countries, supporting the enhancement of higher education quality, knowledge exchange, and global competitiveness in the sector."

Sarah Cooke, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, said, "I am delighted to join the launch of the Transnational Education Research Report by the British Council. Transnational Education provides a great opportunity to explore how global education partnerships are shaping the future of learning and strengthening ties between the UK and Bangladesh."

An engaging panel discussion on Unlocking the Potential and Social Value of Transnational Education in Bangladesh was held, where participants shared their valuable insights. David Knox, Director of Programmes, Bangladesh, British Council, moderated the session. The panellists included Mohammad Anwar Hossen, Member of the University Grants Commission (UGC); Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University; Ishtiaque Abedin, Secretary General of the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh; and Salvador Carbajal Lopez, Director of Education, South Asia, British Council.

The report, commissioned by the British Council to Ecctis outlines key recommendations below:

• Streamline regulatory processes and provide clear guidelines for TNE providers
• Address linguistic barriers through bridging language programmes
• Enhance digital infrastructure to support remote and online learning
• Improve transparency and alignment in quality assurance processes
• Develop targeted initiatives to increase female participation in diverse subject areas
• Facilitating dual degree programmes can provide valuable opportunities for middle-income students

Toufiq Hasan, British Council's Head of Education, announced the winners of The Transnational Education (TNE) Grant for 2025, awarding GBP 25,000 to each selected partnership. The successful UK-Bangladesh collaborations include Liverpool John Moores University with the University of Dhaka's Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies, Nottingham Trent University with Jahangirnagar University, and Birmingham City University with the American International University – Bangladesh. Royal Holloway and the University of London have partnered with the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), while Keele University is collaborating with FIVDB. These grants aim to strengthen institutional partnerships through transnational education.