DHAKA: To explore the options and possibilities for foreign students and scholars in Bangladesh, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) arranged a Roundtable Discussion titled “The Prospects and Challenges of International Students in Bangladesh” on May 16, 2017 at IUB campus in Bashundhara, Dhaka. 

Along with the Trustees, faculty and senior administration of IUB; Ambassadors, High Commissioners and their representatives from Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Iraq, Philippines, Canada and Afghanistan  High Commissions and Embassies; Prof. Abdul Mannan, Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh; representatives from Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, National Security Intelligence (NSI), Immigration Wing of the Bangladesh Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and eminent media personalities were present in the Roundtable.

The program started with the welcoming speech given by Abdul Hai Sarker, Chairman, ESTCDT who pointed out the aims and purposes of the ESTCDT as well as IUB. In his speech, Rashed Chowdhury, Chairman, Board of Trustees, IUB highlighted the features and facilities provided by IUB to ensure ‘high quality education’ for the students of the university. Vice Chancellor Prof. M. Omar Rahman stressed on the importance of the private universities in Bangladesh as about 70% students receiving formal higher education in Bangladesh from private universities. He also focused on various international accreditations and affiliations IUB has with internationally recognized universities, institutions and organizations. 

Recognizing the contribution of the private universities of Bangladesh, Prof. Abdul Mannan, Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh described various initiatives taken by UGC to promote higher education in Bangladesh. He emphasized on ensuring accommodation facilities, international desk and foreign faculties to make Bangladesh attractive to the international students. 

Representatives from law and security enforcing agencies including Commodore Nurul Afsar, NSI; Lt. Colonel Md. Sarwar-Bin-Quasem, Commanding Officer, RAB-1; Md. Obaidul Haque, Additional Deputy Police Commissioner, Diplomatic Zone, Dhaka; and Md. Abu Bakar, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Special Branch gave assurance of providing all out supports for the international students who are interested to do their higher education in Bangladesh. They informed that Visa processing for the foreign students has been made easy and they are very prompt to address any security related problems of the international students. 

H.E. Rafiuzzaman Siddiqui, High Commissioner, High Commission of Pakistan in Bangladesh; H. E. Sonam Tobden Rabgye, Ambassador, Royal Bhutan’s Embassy in Bangladesh; H.E. Dhan Bahadur Oli, Minister-Counselor/ Charge’ d’affaires, Embassy of Nepal in Bangladesh; Lauren Arce, Cultural Attache’, Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Bangladesh;  Ahmad Khalil Sadat, Secretary, Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Afghanistan in Bangladesh; Kelly R, Ryan, Cultural Affairs Officer, The American Center; and Shaheen Khan, Fulbright Programs, The American Center participated in the Roundtable discussions and gave their valuable opinions. 

Prominent journalists from reputed print and electronic media including Sohrab Hossain, Associate Editor, Daily Prothom Alo; Shahnoor Wahid, Advisory Editor, Bangladesh Post; Muhammad Jahangir, Executive Director of CDD and eminent media personality; Syed Ishtiaque Reaza, Director, News and Operations, Ekattor TV; and Aasha Mehreen Amir, Deputy Editor of Editorial and Op-Ed, The Daily Star took part in the discussion who emphasized on giving importance to the students of the neighboring countries and arranging combined education fairs in the potential countries to increase the intake of foreign students 

A K Ashraf Uddin Ahmed, Trustee, IUB; S M Al-Husainy, Trustee, IUB; Prof. Sarwar Uddin Ahmed, Dean, School of Business; Prof. Shahriar Khan, Dean, School of Engineering and Computer Science; Dr. Abdul Khaleque, Dean, School of Environmental Science and Management; Dr. Mahbub Alam, Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; and Prof. Rita Yusuf, Dean, School of Life Sciences; Dr. Saleemul Huq, Director of ICCCAD at IUB; Razima S. Chowdhury, Deputy Director, Bangla Language Institite (BLI); Brig Gen (Retd) Md Anwarul Islam, Registrar of IUB; Md. Abdullah Iqbal, Deputy Director, Office of Career Guidance and Placement (CGP), Lima Choudhury, Deputy Director,  Admissions and Financial Aid; Kh. Aminul Haque, Director, Media and Public Relations Department were also present in the event. The Rountable discussion was moderated by Prof. Milan Pagon, Pro Vice Chancellor, IUB.

BDST: 1420 HRS, MAY 17, 2017
AP