Chinese students’ interest in learning Bangla and Bangladeshi culture at the University of Dhaka has increased, with enrollment in a special Bangla course rising from 15 in 2024 to 26 in 2026. The university’s Institute of Modern Languages said the increase represents about 73 percent over three years. On Monday, Chinese students studying Bangla paid a courtesy call on Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam in a meeting room beside his office.

The vice-chancellor said language and cultural exchange could deepen communication, understanding and friendship between Bangladesh and China. He described China as one of Bangladesh’s major development partners and said the university wanted to emphasize Chinese and other third-language education. He also called for expanding opportunities for Chinese students to learn Bangla and Bangladeshi culture at Dhaka University.

In 2024, 15 students from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Yunnan Minzu University joined the course. The number rose to 19 in 2025, when students from Yunnan Minzu University, Yunnan University and Beijing Foreign Studies University participated. This year, 26 students from Yunnan Minzu University, Yunnan University, Communication University and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies are enrolled. Students also raised issues involving food menus, Wi-Fi, housing and other services, and the vice-chancellor pledged to consider action.