A Russian delegation met Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam on Wednesday to discuss strengthening academic and research cooperation between the university and Russian higher education institutions.
The meeting was held at the vice-chancellor’s office on November 4, 2026.
The delegation included German Dmitrievich Zubovich, deputy director of the Department for Coordination of the National Education System under Russia’s Ministry of Education, and Alexander Vasilievich Perkin, adviser at the Centre for International Cooperation.
Other participants included Alexandra A. Khelvnoy, first secretary of the Russian Embassy in Dhaka and director of Russian House; Prashanta Kumar Barman, head of the Cultural Programmes Department; and Delwar Hossain, senior administrative officer of the embassy.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to expand ongoing joint academic and research activities between Dhaka University and Russian universities.
They also explored the possibility of launching a free nine-month Russian language course at DU’s Institute of Modern Languages with support from Russia’s Ministry of Education.
The delegation expressed interest in sending native Russian-speaking instructors to the university under the “Russian Teachers Abroad” project to teach the language.
They said the initiative would help promote Russian language education and develop new Russian language teachers in Bangladesh.
The delegation also noted that the project could expand opportunities for DU students to pursue higher education in Russia under government scholarships. Knowledge of Russian could also help Bangladeshi workers access better-paying employment opportunities in the country.
Both sides agreed to work towards signing a memorandum of understanding to expand joint academic and research programmes between Dhaka University and Russian universities.
Professor Obaidul Islam said Bangladesh and Russia had longstanding historical ties and expressed hope that education and research would further strengthen bilateral relations.
He said Dhaka University was interested in working with Russian universities to improve the quality of education and research, stressing the need for more joint academic and research initiatives.
The vice-chancellor thanked the delegation for visiting the university and expressing interest in its academic and research activities.
