Malaysia to Launch ‘Graduate Plus’ Visa for Bangladeshi Students, Opening Job Opportunities
Malaysia is set to introduce the ‘Graduate Plus’ visa for Bangladeshi students studying at its universities, enabling thousands to access high-skilled jobs in the country’s rapidly growing economy. Previously, while students from other countries could enter Malaysia’s job market after completing their studies, Bangladeshi students were denied this opportunity.
The initiative was announced on Wednesday, August 13, via a post on the verified Facebook page of Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. On the same day, Dr. Yunus discussed the proposal during a meeting with Malaysian Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in Kuala Lumpur. Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser for Law, Justice, and Expatriate Welfare, stated, “We had fruitful discussions with the minister. He has agreed in principle to issue Graduate Plus visas for Bangladeshi students. However, both sides need to complete certain formalities before the policy can take effect.”
Currently, around 10,000 Bangladeshi students are enrolled in Malaysian universities. Earlier on Wednesday, Malaysian Education Minister Fadhlina binti Sidek met Dr. Yunus at a Kuala Lumpur hotel to discuss enhancing educational cooperation. The talks covered increasing scholarships for Bangladeshi students in Malaysian universities and colleges, expanding student and faculty exchange programs, and seeking formal recognition of Bangladeshi degrees by Malaysian authorities and higher education institutions.
Dr. Yunus emphasized the importance of broadening exchange programs, while Minister Fadhlina expressed keen interest in his ‘Three Zero’ campaign, which aims to eliminate global poverty, unemployment, and carbon emissions. Dr. Yunus remarked, “Unless you imagine a world without poverty, it won’t happen,” urging global leaders to build a non-self-destructive civilization. He invited the Malaysian Education Minister to visit Dhaka to further strengthen educational ties.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, and Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed. Earlier that day, UKM conferred an honorary doctorate on Dr. Yunus for his contributions to social business. He also met with UKM’s Chancellor and Negeri Sembilan ruler, Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, for a courtesy visit.
