International unis eye Bangladesh for campuses and dual programs

Last week, Bangladesh’s University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman, professor SMA Faiz, met in Dhaka with a delegation from the UK’s University of East Anglia to discuss transnational education opportunities.

The meeting, which also included representatives from MH Global Group and Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), discussed how the University of East Anglia could establish a campus in Bangladesh or launch joint and dual degree programs with the BUP and the Military Institute of Science and Technology. 

While Faiz assured the delegates of full support in line with existing regulations, Steve McGuire, pro-vice-chancellor (international) at the University of East Anglia, stressed the institution’s commitment to “upholding strict academic and administrative standards for its branch campuses and dual degree programs”.

The meeting comes just months after the UGC announced its plans to develop a “clear and stringent” guideline for formulating a policy around international university branches in Bangladesh. 

A high-powered committee, consisting of experienced professors, is actively preparing a guideline policy. Once this policy is finalised, we will be able to decide on the approval of foreign campuses
_{^{Mohammad Anwar Hossen, UGC member}}

According to UGC member Mohammad Anwar Hossen, who heads the sub-committee on private universities, a high-powered committee has been formed to draft the policy. 

The committee includes prominent academics from leading public and private institutions such as the University of Dhaka, BUET, North South University, and Jahangirnagar University.

“We are assessing how beneficial foreign campuses will be for Bangladesh. A high-powered committee, consisting of experienced professors, is actively preparing a guideline policy. Once this policy is finalised, we will be able to decide on the approval of foreign campuses,” stated Hossen, in an interview with a Bangladeshi media outlet.

“We are closely examining whether student interests might be hampered, or if public and private universities would come under undue pressure. Private universities have reached a certain standard. However, when we consider the living standards, salary structures, and research facilities for public university teachers, the picture is less satisfactory. If foreign universities begin operating here, our educators might face even more strain.”

Though the UGC plans to finalise the policy only after thorough review and national interest assessments, the draft requires at least 25,000 square feet of campus space, full-time academic staff, a fixed deposit of Tk 5 crore (£306,400), and a non-refundable application fee of Tk 10 lakh (£6,120).

Currently a Malaysian institution, UCSI University has become the first international institution to receive approval from both the UGC and the ministry of education to establish a branch campus in Bangladesh, with academic activities already in effect in Dhaka. 

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