National dialogue on higher education begins today with 60 VCs

A two-day national policy dialogue of university vice-chancellors begins in Savar on Friday (August 21), bringing together leaders of public and private universities to discuss ways to improve the quality, governance and relevance of higher education in Bangladesh.

The dialogue, being held at BRAC CDM in Savar, has been organised under the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project.

The event aims to identify strategies for making the country’s higher education system more responsive to technological change, the growing use of artificial intelligence and evolving demands of the global labour market.

Around 60 vice-chancellors from public and private universities are taking part in the two-day programme. Senior government officials, policymakers, academics, education researchers and representatives of the UGC and HEAT Project are also participating.

Discussions will focus on strategic leadership and good governance in universities, improving teaching quality, research and innovation, internationalisation of higher education and stronger collaboration between universities and industries.

Participants will also discuss transparent financial management, modernising curricula and equipping students with skills aligned with the changing job market.

On the first day, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Mahdi Amin are scheduled to join the discussions at 11am. The session will examine the key challenges facing higher education and possible ways forward.

The closing session will be held at 3pm on Saturday, with Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milan attending as the chief guest. UGC Chairman Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed will chair the session.

According to the UGC, key recommendations and observations from the dialogue will be compiled and used to guide HEAT Project activities as well as long-term policies and strategies for higher education in Bangladesh.