UGC Launches Training for Senior University Teachers

A ten-day professional development programme for senior faculty members from public and private universities has begun in Bangladesh, with a focus on strengthening teaching capabilities, promoting collaborative research and expanding institutional cooperation. Organised under the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project, the first two batches include 60 professors and associate professors from different universities.

UGC Member Professor Dr Masuma Habib inaugurated the programme as the chief guest on Tuesday at the Rural Development Academy (RDA) in Bogura. The event was chaired by HEAT Project Director Professor Dr Md Rakibul Haque, while Professor Dr Laila Noor Islam, Dean of the University Teachers Training Academy, attended as the special guest.

In her inaugural remarks, Professor Masuma Habib said the professional connections developed among teachers from different universities through the programme would create opportunities for joint research and institutional collaboration. She urged participants to apply the knowledge and experience gained during the training at their respective universities and contribute to the professional development of junior colleagues.

In his address, Professor Md Rakibul Haque described the occasion as a historic moment for higher education in Bangladesh. He said the UGC had introduced this professional development programme for senior university teachers for the first time under the HEAT project.

He added that the initiative would strengthen cooperation between public and private universities and create opportunities for institutions to adopt effective practices developed elsewhere.

Citing examples of collaboration among researchers in robotics, fine arts and business studies, the project director said bringing a technology to market required more than innovation alone. Product design and marketing skills were also essential. He expressed hope that the professional networks established through the training would support similar interdisciplinary research and innovation in the future.

Special guest Professor Laila Noor Islam said six training modules had been developed jointly with the British Council as part of preparations for the university teachers’ programme. With support from international trainers, 15 master trainers and 21 national trainers had also received training.

She urged participants to provide specific feedback to help further improve the training modules for senior academics.

Dr Md Abid Hossain Mridha, RDA Director and Course Director of the training programme, and RDA Director Md Delwar Hossain also spoke at the event.

Officials, consultants and trainers from the HEAT project and RDA, along with the participating academics, attended the programme.

//DBTech/IHUG/SMP/MSI//