Around 70 representatives and exchange coordinators from six universities across Bangladesh attended the National Exchange Coordinators Meeting (NEXCO) 2026 at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) on Friday (October 30).

Organised by the International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS) Bangladesh-BAU, the day-long event was held at the Chashi Community Centre on the university campus to promote international exchange opportunities for agricultural students.

According to the organisers, NEXCO was held for the first time in Bangladesh. The meeting aimed to identify potential exchange destinations, strengthen coordination between national and local committees, and develop plans to expand international exchange programmes.

Participants also discussed the potential of research laboratories, agricultural farms and innovative regional initiatives as destinations for international exchange programmes.

The participating universities were BAU, Khulna Agricultural University, Gopalganj Science and Technology University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Teesta University and the International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT).

The event was divided into two sessions. The first featured an exchange boot camp, discussions on exchange programme fundamentals and a host pitch competition, where participants presented plans and strategies for hosting international exchanges.

The second session included an introductory activity titled ‘Know Each Other’, a visit to BAU’s Agricultural Museum, prize and certificate distribution, and a cultural programme.

Speaking about the initiative, IAAS Bangladesh-BAU Local Director K M Asif Al-Rehman Shammo said the main objective was to bring together exchange coordinators from different IAAS local committees to share knowledge, experiences and ideas about international exchange programmes.