Bangladesh, Pakistan eye student, faculty exchanges to boost academic ties

Dhaka: Bangladesh and Pakistan have agreed to strengthen academic cooperation by promoting student and faculty exchange programmes, expanding research collaboration and increasing scholarship opportunities.

The understanding came during a meeting between Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A. B. M. Obaidul Islam at the university on July 21.

According to the Pakistan High Commission, the two sides discussed ways to deepen educational cooperation, with particular emphasis on research partnerships and exchange programmes for students and faculty members.

During the meeting, the high commissioner informed the vice-chancellor about the growing interest among Bangladeshi students in the Allama Iqbal Scholarships offered under the Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor initiative.

Both sides agreed that education is one of the strongest pillars for promoting mutual understanding, strengthening academic collaboration and further enhancing ties between the people of Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Following the meeting, Haider and Professor Islam jointly inaugurated a computer laboratory and renovated classroom facilities at the Urdu Department of Dhaka University, sponsored by the Pakistan High Commission.

Speaking at the event, Professor Islam said the Urdu Department, established on 1 July 1921, is one of the university's oldest academic departments and has made significant contributions to the study of language, literature and culture for more than a century.

He thanked the Pakistan High Commission for supporting the development of the department and appreciated its contribution to improving academic facilities.

Haider said the initiative reflects the shared commitment of the two countries to advancing education, promoting cultural understanding and investing in the future of young people.

He also thanked Dhaka University for preserving its Urdu department, describing it as a symbol of the university's commitment to linguistic diversity, literary scholarship and cultural exchange.

The high commissioner expressed hope that educational and cultural cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan would continue to expand through greater academic exchanges and collaborative initiatives.