Prime Minister’s Adviser for Education and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin has stressed the effective implementation of the government’s priority plans to improve education quality and develop a modern, skilled workforce.

He made the remarks at a meeting on higher education quality improvement held at the British High Commission in Baridhara, Dhaka, today (2 October).

The meeting discussed the impact and future activities of the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project, funded by the World Bank and supported by the British Council.

Responding to interest in establishing an internationally recognised British university in Bangladesh, Mahdi Amin said the government would provide necessary support to institutions and investors interested in setting up a world-class university in the country.

He said the government was working to expand access to higher education while creating an internationally competitive environment for education and research.

Participants also discussed initiatives to improve higher education quality, develop skills and innovation, and align the country’s education system with international standards.

The meeting further explored the implementation of the Bangladesh National Qualifications Framework to maintain education quality and ensure international recognition.

Describing education as one of the government’s key priorities, Mahdi Amin said, “The government is sincere to improve the quality of education, prepare students for future employment and expand opportunities for research and innovation in higher education.”

Highlighting the government’s education-related initiatives, he said these included introducing third-language education, expanding technical education opportunities, establishing technical education institutions at the upazila level, introducing compulsory technical laboratories, modernising laboratory facilities, setting up multimedia classrooms and ensuring free Wi-Fi access for students.

At the university level, initiatives have been taken to establish ecosystem offices, create startup funds, strengthen innovation activities, introduce career counselling offices and organise job fairs to improve links between students and employers, he added.

The adviser also reiterated the government’s plan to introduce a Student Loan Programme for students seeking to pursue higher education abroad.

The meeting also featured discussions on the experiences of teachers and trainers who received training under the HEAT project.

Participants stressed the need for greater coordination among relevant stakeholders to accelerate improvements in higher education quality and innovation.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, British Council Chief Executive Scott McDonald, British Council Bangladesh Country Director Stephen Forbes, University Grants Commission Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, UGC Member Professor Dr Masuma Habib, HEAT Project Director Professor Dr Asaduzzaman, World Bank Senior Education Specialist TM Asaduzzaman, and vice-chancellors of Dhaka University, BRAC University and North South University, among others, attended the meeting.

Following the meeting, Mahdi Amin held a separate bilateral meeting with Scott McDonald.

They discussed strengthening the existing partnership between the Bangladesh government and the British Council in education, identifying new areas of cooperation and reviewing various education reform initiatives undertaken by the government.