Dhaka: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced a groundbreaking initiative to establish modern language centres at 25 universities, both public and private, throughout Bangladesh. The aim of this initiative is to bolster the global competitiveness of Bangladeshi students, internationalise higher education, and create an appealing academic environment for foreign students.
According to United News of Bangladesh, UGC Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed unveiled these plans during an exchange meeting with foreign students at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). The meeting was organised to encourage international student enrolment, assess their academic experiences, and identify existing challenges and solutions. Eight international languages, including Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, French, and German, will be taught at these centres.
The UGC chairman highlighted the government’s plan to incorporate a third language in the curriculum to enhance international communication skills within the education system. He noted that this would lead to a significant demand for skilled foreign language teachers across various educational levels. The university-based language centres aim to fulfil this demand by equipping students with proficiency in high-demand languages, thereby opening new employment opportunities both domestically and internationally.
Professor Ahmed emphasised that in the context of the fourth industrial revolution, artificial intelligence, global trade, and international cooperation, multilingual proficiency is an essential capability. Language education, he asserted, would facilitate Bangladeshi youth in pursuing international higher education, research, technology, diplomacy, entrepreneurship, and global job market entry.
The UGC is also developing a five-year strategic plan to transform Bangladesh’s higher education system and improve its international standards. A key objective is positioning Bangladesh as a regional education hub in South Asia, attracting foreign students, researchers, and teachers.
An “International Desk” will be established in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and the UGC. The desk aims to streamline admission, visa, accommodation, healthcare, and other administrative services for foreign students. Additionally, five public and five private universities will be developed as model education hubs, offering international-standard facilities and support services.
Professor Ahmed added that the proposed language centres would serve as platforms for cultural exchange, international cooperation, joint research, academic exchange, and fostering global citizenship among local and foreign students. These initiatives are anticipated to enhance Bangladeshi universities’ international rankings, research collaborations, and foreign student attraction.