UGC pushes emerging-tech skills

Universities should play a stronger role in developing skilled human resources in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, robotics, renewable energy and other emerging fields, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed said on Sunday, September 20, 2026.

He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with a delegation from UCSI University.

Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed said universities would be encouraged to introduce modern and demand-driven academic programmes in response to Bangladesh’s future knowledge and skills requirements. He stressed the need for stronger university-level efforts to develop skilled professionals in technology and other emerging sectors.

The UGC is also drafting a Cross-Border Higher Education Policy to strengthen the internationalization of higher education and connect Bangladesh’s higher education system more closely with the global academic landscape.

Under the proposed policy, internationally recognized and quality foreign universities may be allowed to operate branch campuses or study centres in Bangladesh. At the same time, eligible Bangladeshi universities may receive opportunities to establish branch campuses abroad.

The UGC chairman said the proposed policy would consider allowing internationally recognized foreign universities to operate branch campuses in Bangladesh. However, educational quality, academic environment, governance and protection of students’ interests would receive the highest priority. Approved foreign universities would be required to maintain education standards comparable to those of their main campuses.

He also said eligible private universities would soon be allowed to offer PhD programmes, taking into account national needs and institutional capacity.

Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed said initiatives were being taken to expand scholarships, internships, joint research, joint degrees and other academic collaborations between Bangladeshi universities and internationally recognized institutions.

Such collaboration, he said, would create greater opportunities for Bangladeshi students and teachers to participate in the international academic community and accelerate the internationalization of higher education.

Seeking UCSI University’s cooperation in establishing branch campuses of qualified Bangladeshi universities in Malaysia, the UGC chairman said, “We are interested in working together. The UGC wants to create opportunities for necessary cooperation so that Bangladeshi universities can expand their academic activities internationally.”

Representatives of UCSI University expressed interest in expanding the institution’s activities in Bangladesh. They sought approval to offer various academic programmes and permission to award PhD degrees. They also expressed interest in scholarships, joint degrees and other academic activities for Bangladeshi students.

UCSI proposed reasonable tuition fees and tuition-fee waivers for Bangladeshi students. The delegation also sought UGC cooperation in enrolling foreign students at its Bangladesh campus.

The university further expressed interest in being included in UGC’s overseas scholarship initiatives for Bangladeshi teachers and offered cooperation on tuition-fee waivers under such programmes.

The meeting also included an invitation for Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed to attend UCSI University’s convocation in Malaysia in December.

A 10-member delegation led by UCSI University President and Vice-Chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah binti Tapsir met the UGC chairman.

UGC Secretary Dr Md Fakhrul Islam, ICC Division Director Dr Md Sultan Mahmud Bhuiyan, Insight Institute of Learning Chairman and UCSI University Bangladesh Branch Campus Senior Vice-President Md Ariful Bari Majumdar, and UCSI University Bangladesh Branch Campus Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kushairi bin Mohammad Rajuddin were among those present.

UCSI University is a private university in Malaysia and operates a branch campus in Banani, Dhaka.
//DBTech/IHU/BPO/MIST//