North South University (NSU) and South Korea’s Hanseo University have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen academic and cultural cooperation, including potential student exchanges.

The agreement was signed during the Korean Cultural Exchange Festival 2026, hosted at the NSU auditorium on Monday, 24 August, according to a press release.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam attended the event as chief guest.

Former NSU Board of Trustees chairman and current member Benajir Ahmed was present as special guest, while NSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury chaired the session.

Hanseo University Dean Dongho Kim, Endow Corporation Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Al Faruq and NSU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Nasar U Ahmed also attended.

Welcoming the participants, Nasar said the festival celebrated friendship between the people of Bangladesh and South Korea.

“Through cultural exchange, we can strengthen our friendship, deepen mutual understanding and bring our young people closer together,” he said.

Ali Newaz said the exchange created opportunities for young people from both countries to learn from each other.

He said such initiatives could contribute to national development by strengthening cooperation and people-to-people connections.

Benajir described culture as a bridge between countries, saying music could connect people without translation.

He said stronger cultural ties could create wider opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure and human resource development.

Dongho encouraged students to broaden their perspectives through international exchange.

“I hope students from Bangladesh and Korea will continue to learn from each other and build a better future together,” he said.

Abdul Hannan said the universities could develop exchange programmes allowing Korean students to study at NSU and Bangladeshi students to learn about South Korean culture and technology.

The Hanseo University Cultural Team and North South University Shangskritik Shangathan presented cultural performances representing traditions from both countries.