A delegation from the UK’s University of East Anglia, MH Global Group, and Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) met with Prof Dr. SMA Faez, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, to discuss Transnational Education (TNE) or Cross-Border Higher Education.
The meeting was held on 26 August in the conference room on the 5th floor of the UGC headquarters. Discussions focused on setting up a branch campus of the University of East Anglia in Bangladesh and introducing joint or dual degree programs with Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) and the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST).
The meeting was chaired by UGC Chairman Prof Dr. SMA Faez. Also present were Major General Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, GOC of the 66 Infantry Division, Rangpur; UGC members Prof Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain and Prof Dr. Masuma Habib; and Jasmine Parveen, Director of UGC’s International Cooperation Division.
From the University of East Anglia, attendees included Professor Steven McGuire, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President; Syed Nuh, Head of International Recruitment; Professor Stephen Leacock, Associate Dean (Admissions), Faculty of Sciences; and Dr. Lucille Curtis, Associate Dean (Internationalisation), Faculty of Social Sciences. Representing MH Global Group were Neil Upton, Project Director; Benjamin Bilverstone, Chief Operating Officer; and Zahirul Islam.
The University of East Anglia and MH Global representatives expressed their willingness to collaborate and invest in the development of higher education in Bangladesh. UGC Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Faez assured full cooperation in line with existing regulations.
Major General Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, in his remarks, outlined the background of the meeting and emphasized the prospect of establishing an international campus of a foreign university in Bangladesh under army supervision. He also highlighted the rationale for launching joint degree programs with BUP and MIST. According to him, this initiative would benefit both Bangladeshi students and members of the armed forces by enhancing higher education opportunities and professional skills. He further noted that joint degree programs could focus on emerging fields in information technology, such as Big Data Analysis, Data Science, and Cyber Security.
UGC member Professor Dr. Anwar Hossain observed that the proposed initiative would help improve the quality of higher education and research in Bangladesh, and suggested that steps be taken to implement the University of East Anglia’s proposal within the framework of existing laws and regulations.
Prof Dr. Masuma Habib remarked that the establishment of international-standard higher education institutions in Bangladesh would enable students to participate in global education and research, expand employment opportunities, and contribute to building a knowledge-based economy.
Prof Steven McGuire emphasized that the University of East Anglia places the highest importance on maintaining strict academic and administrative standards at each of its branch campuses and pledged to uphold the same high standards in Bangladesh.
The meeting also identified high tuition fees, quality assurance, student employability, and credit-hour mismatches as major challenges, and participants agreed on the need to address these issues through effective measures.
Jasmine Parveen, Director of UGC International Cooperation Division, stressed the importance of providing tuition-free opportunities for meritorious but financially disadvantaged students, so that they too can access higher education.
