The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh is working to transform the country’s universities into attractive destinations for international students, according to UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed. He made the remarks on Saturday at the ‘China-Bangladesh Education Cooperation Forum 2026’ held at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka. The event was chaired by the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh and attended by Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and other senior education officials.

Professor Ahmed emphasized the importance of internationalizing higher education and creating a system where both local and foreign students can study together. He said Bangladesh must ensure “circulation of talent” rather than “brain drain,” enabling skilled expatriates to contribute to national development. The UGC is actively fostering sustainable partnerships between Bangladeshi and Chinese universities to enhance academic quality and research collaboration.

He added that Bangladesh seeks to learn from China’s progress in higher education, focusing on modern laboratory infrastructure, joint research funds, and faculty development programs. The UGC aims to move beyond formal agreements toward joint degree programs, dual PhD supervision, and co-authored research publications in high-quality journals.