The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh and Tianjin University (TJU) of China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in higher education, research, faculty development, and academic exchanges.
Under this agreement, Tianjin University has agreed to provide admission opportunities for approximately 100 Bangladeshi students in Master’s and PhD programmes over the coming years.
The MoU was signed on Sunday during a visit by a UGC delegation led by Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed to Tianjin, China.
The delegation included UGC Director Sultan Mahmud Bhuiyan. Professor Ming Dong, vice president of Tianjin University, represented the university, while Professor Liqiang, dean of the School of International Education, was also in attendance.
During the meeting, Mamun highlighted recent advancements in Bangladesh’s higher education sector. He emphasised that effective partnerships with leading global universities are crucial for expanding higher education, increasing research capacity, and creating international-standard human resources.
Mamun noted that long-term strategic cooperation with Tianjin University would create new opportunities for Bangladeshi universities.
The UGC chairman proposed the introduction of joint programmes at the Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) levels under a joint funding framework between UGC and Tianjin University.
He stressed the need to expand higher education opportunities for teachers and researchers from Bangladeshi universities in priority subjects, including engineering, science, technology, and humanities.
Such initiatives, he said, would play a vital role in faculty development, enhancing research skills, and building international academic networks.
Highlighting the importance of Chinese language education and cultural exchange, the chairman proposed establishing Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms at various Bangladeshi universities.
He informed the TJU authorities that, in line with recent bilateral understandings between the governments of Bangladesh and China, initiatives have been taken to expand Chinese language as a foreign language in Bangladeshi universities.
Mamun revealed that the UGC plans to introduce Chinese language education in approximately 25 universities across the country.
He sought TJU’s assistance in providing skilled Chinese language teachers, curriculum development, and necessary academic support. Mamun believe that expanding Chinese language education would create new possibilities for Bangladeshi students regarding higher education, research, employment, and international communication.
The UGC chairman proposed the establishment of joint laboratories in Bangladesh. He said such laboratories, founded through joint initiatives between Bangladeshi universities and Tianjin University, would increase opportunities for research, innovation, technology transfer, and capacity development in areas of mutual interest.
These facilities would 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 increasing cooperation with Bangladesh in higher education and research.
Both parties discussed expanding collaboration in postgraduate education, teacher and student exchanges, joint research, academic mobility, and institutional development.
Professor Liqiang, dean of the School of International Education at TJU, highlighted the university’s academic excellence and global partnerships. He noted that approximately 70 Bangladeshi students are currently studying at Tianjin University and expressed the university’s eagerness to welcome more in the future.
The signed MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for postgraduate education, joint research, faculty and student exchanges, the establishment of joint laboratories, Chinese language education, and institutional cooperation.
Stakeholders believe this partnership will play a significant role in human resource development, research excellence, and innovation in Bangladesh.
This high-level visit and the signing of the MoU, following the recent visit of the prime minister of Bangladesh to China, reflect the growing dynamics of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
It is expected that the long-standing friendship between the two countries will be further strengthened through education, research, innovation, and people-to-people contact.
At the conclusion of the visit, both UGC and Tianjin University authorities reaffirmed their commitment to taking effective and specific initiatives to implement the MoU.
Both sides expressed hope that this strategic partnership would make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of higher education and scientific research in both Bangladesh and China.
