Khulna University (KU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim has called for making English language teaching more engaging, interactive and practical, stressing the use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve students’ proficiency.

He made the remarks at a conference titled “Cultivating Community in Language Education” at KU’s URP Lecture Theatre on Monday, 26 October.

The conference was jointly organised by KU’s English Discipline, the Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association (BELTA) and Teachers Helping Teachers (THT).

Addressing the event as chief guest, the vice-chancellor highlighted the importance of developing teachers’ professional skills and integrating technology into English language education.

He also stressed the need to ensure that students from rural and disadvantaged communities have access to opportunities to improve their English language skills.

He said the government was prioritising language proficiency to strengthen professional skills and had taken various initiatives towards that goal. Improving teachers’ skills and professional standards could help strengthen the education system and contribute to the country’s future, he added.

KU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Harunur Rashid Khan and Treasurer Professor Dr Md Nurunnabi attended the conference as special guests.

Professor Dr Abdur Rahman Shaheen, head of KU’s English Discipline and convener of the conference organising committee, presided over the event.

Other speakers included Professor Dr Patrick Dougherty, team leader of THT and a faculty member at Akita International University in Japan, and Taqad Ahmed Chowdhury, BELTA vice-president and head of the Department of English at the University of Asia Pacific.

Professor Dr Md Shahjahan Kabir of KU’s English Discipline delivered the welcome address. Teachers and researchers from universities and educational institutions in Bangladesh and abroad attended the conference.