“Higher education must adapt to future challenges,” Yunus tells South Asian conference

A three-day South Asian regional higher education conference began in the capital on Tuesday, focusing on the current state of higher education and future policy directions.

The conference, titled “Current State of Higher Education and Future Directions–2026,” was inaugurated by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at Hotel Le Méridien Dhaka. The event will continue until January 15.

Education Adviser Professor Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar attended the opening ceremony as a special guest.

Participants include international delegates from the United Kingdom, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other countries, along with representatives of the World Bank. Delegations from Bangladesh and other SAARC member states, including representatives of University Grants Commissions and higher education authorities, vice-chancellors, academics, researchers, and diplomats, are also taking part.

According to the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, the conference is being organized under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project, which is being implemented by the UGC with funding from the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank.

The UGC said the conference aims to elevate higher education in Bangladesh and strengthen the network of higher education commissions across SAARC countries.

A total of eight sessions will be held over the three days. On the first day, discussions focus on the current state of higher education in South Asia, governance, quality and inclusion, and research, innovation, sustainability and social engagement.

The second day will feature sessions on artificial intelligence integration, digital transformation and smart learning ecosystems, enhancing graduate employability and industry–academia collaboration, the future roadmap of higher education through cooperation and networking, stakeholder dialogue in higher education transformation, and a dialogue with vice-chancellors in the context of the HEAT project.

On the final day, discussions will address gender issues in higher education, followed by the adoption of the Dhaka Higher Education Declaration, marking the conclusion of the conference.