Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon said the government’s first 180-day “honeymoon period” after taking office has ended, and problems across the education sector have been identified. He said the government is now placing emphasis on resolving those issues. Milon made the remarks while speaking at the QS Bangladesh Forum 2026 on Monday, August 17.

The minister questioned why QS ratings should remain limited to universities in developed countries. He said Bangladesh’s universities could have achieved better positions if universities from SAARC member countries were included in the ratings. He also raised questions over the lack of PhD programmes at private universities in the country despite many years having passed, asking why no effective initiative had been taken.

Milon expressed concern about research capacity at Bangladeshi universities. He said many talented researchers are applying their knowledge and skills to development and research abroad, while Bangladesh has failed to identify and use them effectively at home. The government is working to strengthen university research capacity, use talented researchers domestically, and improve education and research standards, he said.