American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) has signed several agreements on joint research and student and faculty exchanges with international partner universities during the QS Africa Forum 2026 in Addis Ababa.

The two-day forum, held on 9–10 July at Sheraton Addis, brought together vice-chancellors, ministers, policymakers and higher education leaders from Africa and other regions.

AIUB participated as an official sponsor and delegate institution, representing Bangladesh’s private higher education sector in discussions on talent retention, academic mobility, artificial intelligence and equitable access.

Held under the theme “Skills, Systems and Sustainable Futures”, the forum examined how higher education institutions could strengthen skills, systems and sustainability.

The AIUB delegation comprised Ishtiaque Abedin, Founder Member of the Board of Trustees; Professor Khandaker Tabin Hasan, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology; and Abu Mia Akand Tuhin, Head of Public Relations.

During the forum, AIUB signed several memorandums of understanding with partner universities, formalising cooperation in joint research and student and faculty exchange programmes.

Ishtiaque Abedin and Professor Khandaker Tabin Hasan signed the agreements on behalf of AIUB. The partnerships are expected to expand cross-continental academic cooperation and support the university’s internationalisation and research activities.

“Our presence in Addis Ababa reflects AIUB’s conviction that Bangladeshi higher education belongs on the global stage,” Ishtiaque Abedin said.

He also held a series of meetings with senior QS officials to advance plans for the upcoming QS Bangladesh Forum.

The event will be jointly organised by AIUB, the University Grants Commission and the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh.

The proposed forum aims to improve the performance and international visibility of Bangladeshi universities in global rankings while connecting the country’s higher education institutions with international best practices.