A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh and Tianjin University in China to strengthen cooperation in higher education, research, teacher development, scholarship programs, academic exchanges and postgraduate education between Bangladesh and China. Under the MoU, Tianjin University authorities have agreed to provide admission opportunities to about 100 Bangladeshi students at Masters and PhD levels in the next few years.
The MoU was signed during the visit of a delegation led by UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed to Tianjin, China on Sunday (June 28). UGC Director Dr. Sultan Mahmud Bhuiyan was present in the delegation. Vice President of the university, Professor Ming Dong, participated in the agreement on behalf of Tianjin University. Professor Liqiang, Dean of the University's School of International Education, was present at the meeting.
UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed highlighted the recent progress in the higher education sector of Bangladesh. He said that effective partnerships with the world's leading universities are very important for expanding higher education in Bangladesh, enhancing research capacity and creating international quality human resources. In this regard, long-term and strategic cooperation with Tianjin University will create new opportunities for universities in Bangladesh.
Professor Mamun Ahmed proposed to launch joint programs at the Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) levels under the joint funding framework of UGC and Tianjin University. He said that it is necessary to expand higher education opportunities for teachers and researchers of Bangladeshi universities in engineering, science, technology, humanities and other priority subjects. Such joint programs will play an important role in teacher development, enhancing research skills and building international academic networks.
Highlighting the importance of Chinese language education and cultural exchange, the UGC Chairman proposed the establishment of Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms in various universities in Bangladesh. He said that in light of the recent bilateral understanding between the governments of Bangladesh and China, initiatives have been taken to expand Chinese language education as a foreign language in Bangladeshi universities.
Professor Mamun Ahmed said that the UGC is planning to introduce Chinese language education in about 25 universities in the country. He expects skilled Chinese language teachers, curriculum development support and necessary academic cooperation from Tianjin University to implement this initiative. According to him, expanding Chinese language education will create new prospects for Bangladeshi students in higher education, research, employment and international communication.
The UGC Chairman also proposed the establishment of joint research laboratories in Bangladesh. He said that the establishment of joint research laboratories between Bangladeshi universities and Tianjin University will increase the opportunities for research, innovation, technology transfer and capacity development in areas of mutual interest. These laboratories will help further strengthen the environment for science and technology-based research in Bangladesh.
Tianjin University Vice President Professor Ming Dong expressed the university's strong interest in expanding higher education and research-based cooperation with Bangladesh. During the meeting, the two sides discussed expanding cooperation in various fields, including postgraduate education, faculty and student exchanges, joint research, academic mobility and institutional development.
Professor Liqiang, Dean of the School of International Education of Tianjin University, highlighted the university's academic excellence, international success and various aspects of global partnerships. He said that currently, about 70 Bangladeshi students are studying at Tianjin University. The university is eager to welcome more Bangladeshi students there in the future.
The signed MoU has set a comprehensive framework for postgraduate education, joint research, faculty and student exchanges, joint laboratory establishment, Chinese language education and institutional cooperation. Those concerned believe that this partnership will play an important role in human resource development, research excellence and innovation activities in Bangladesh.
This high-level visit and the signing of the MoU, which comes on the heels of the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to China, reflect the growing momentum of bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and China. It is hoped that the long-standing friendship between the two countries will be further strengthened through education, research, innovation and people-to-people exchanges.
At the end of the visit, the UGC and Tianjin University authorities reaffirmed their commitment to take effective and concrete initiatives to implement the MoU. Both sides expressed their hope that this strategic partnership will make meaningful contributions to the advancement of higher education and scientific research in Bangladesh and China.
