Education Ministry Reviewing Private University Act to Allow Foreign Institutions

The government is reviewing the Private University Act to create provisions for renowned foreign universities to operate in Bangladesh while ensuring academic standards and infrastructure are maintained, Education Minister Dr. A.N.M. Ehsan-ul-Haque Milon said on Sunday (8 March).

The minister made the remarks during a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh at the ministry. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in education, skills development, and technology-driven learning.

A press release issued by the ministry’s public relations officer Khalid Mahmud stated that both sides reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between Bangladesh and Canada in education and development. Canada has been a key development partner since Bangladesh’s independence, contributing significantly to education, skills training, and institutional capacity-building.

The meeting highlighted Bangladesh’s growing demand for quality higher education and explored deeper collaboration opportunities between institutions in the two countries.

The minister informed the High Commissioner that the review of the Private University Act framework is underway to facilitate the inclusion of prestigious foreign universities. He emphasized that Bangladesh welcomes partnerships that enhance capacity-building, professional training, and knowledge exchange.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was another key topic. The Canadian delegation noted that Canada is already supporting Bangladesh’s TVET system through partnerships with organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank.