Quality higher edu a must to build smart Bangladesh
Says Dipu Moni as she inaugurates branch campus of a Malaysian university in the country
Education Minister Dipu Moni today inaugurated a branch campus of a Malaysian university emphasizing on quality higher education for building a smart Bangladesh.
The minister made the remark at a programme held at Le Meridien hotel in the capital.
"To build a smart Bangladesh, we must ensure quality higher education," said Dipu Moni, who joined the inauguration programme of the branch of Malaysia's UCSI University online.
She said the opening of the campus will increase mutual cooperation between the countries in the field of higher education, and help to strengthen bilateral ties.
Established in 1986, UCSI is now ranked 284th in the QS World University Ranking. Bangladesh on December 12 last year, approved the university to open its branch campus in the country.
Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said the government is encouraging international institutions' investment in higher education.
He hoped that this institution, by ensuring international standard education, will play a role in "internationalising" higher education and making the students "world citizens".
Tunku Abidin, pro-chancellor of the university, said, "Through the Bangladesh campus, UCSI will play a role in building educated and skilled manpower in the country."
Speaking at the programme, Vice-Chancellor of UCSI University Malaysia, Prof Datuk Ir Ts Siti Hamisah Binti Tapsir said, "We are happy to provide quality higher education opportunities to the young generation of Bangladesh. Being a top-ranked world university, the students will easily get the opportunity to work in any country of the world."
Malaysian High Commissioner Haznah Md Hashim said the opening of the campus will further strengthen the historic and friendly relations between the two countries. Through quality education, this university will contribute to the development of Bangladesh and bring success and welfare, he added.
He also suggested introducing short and work-oriented courses along with long-term courses, saying this will create skilled human resources.
Director General of South East Asia Region of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nazmul Huda, Director Afzal Hossain, Director Anija Parveen, Strategic Consultant of the University's Bangladesh Campus Shaheen Reza also spoke at the event, among others.