National University VC Holds Talks with SAARC SG to Expand Higher Education Cooperation

National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. S. M. Amanullah held a high-level courtesy meeting with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Secretary-General Ambassador Golam Sarwar at the SAARC Secretariat in Nepal's capital on Thursday evening.

The discussions focused on strengthening higher education, collaborative research, academic exchanges, and institutional partnerships between the National University and universities across SAARC member states. Both sides underscored the vital importance of regional cooperation in fostering peace, mutual trust, and sustainable development in South Asia, while recalling that the late President Ziaur Rahman was a pioneering proponent of the regional organization's founding concept.

Highlighting the evolving landscape of global education, Professor Amanullah noted that robust university partnerships are essential for driving knowledge exchange, technological innovation, and skilled human resource development.

"South Asia's universities must build effective partnerships to enrich knowledge, research, and innovation," Professor Amanullah stated. "With National University undergoing comprehensive reforms to emerge as an international-standard, research-driven, and skill-based institution, initiating joint research, academic sessions, and exchange programs will provide our students with invaluable global experience and open new horizons for regional cooperation."

SAARC Secretary-General Ambassador Golam Sarwar praised the ongoing reform and modernization initiatives implemented by the National University. He assured that the SAARC Secretariat is fully prepared to facilitate joint academic activities, cross-border student-faculty exchanges, and expanded research cooperation.

"Enhancing mutual cooperation in South Asia's higher education sector will play a highly positive role in regional development and human resource capacity building," Ambassador Sarwar observed.

The meeting also explored future collaborative frameworks, including potential Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the National University and the SAARC Secretariat, joint research projects, international seminars, and targeted skill-development programs.