| HEADLINE |
|
AIUB hosts first-ever QS Bangladesh Forum 2026
Published : Tuesday, 18 August, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Press Release
The first-ever QS Bangladesh Forum 2026 was held at Sheraton Dhaka on Monday to advance higher education, strengthen global standards, and elevate Bangladeshi universities in international rankings.
The American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) hosted the forum, organized by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) with support from the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) and the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh (APUB).
Themed “Benchmark Bangladesh: Building World-Class Universities Through Global Standards,” the event brought together Vice-Chancellors, academics, Board of Trustees members, UGC members, policymakers, government representatives, diplomats, development partners, and industry leaders.
Attending as the Chief Guest, Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon announced that initiatives will soon be taken to introduce PhD programmes at private universities.
Questioning why private institutions should not offer doctoral degrees, the minister stressed that since their inception in 1992, private universities by 2026 must create wider opportunities for advanced research and cross-border education.
He noted that thousands of national researchers contribute to development through "Made in Bangladesh" capabilities and called for collective effort to build a stronger Bangladesh.
Guest of Honour UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed stated that Bangladeshi private universities have significant room for improvement in global rankings. He urged institutions to lead efforts in raising academic quality, attracting international students, and setting aside institutional differences to work collectively.
QS Vice President Dr Ashwin Fernandes, Chief Commercial Officer Jason Newman, Regional Partnerships Director Rami Awad, APUB President Dr Md Sabur Khan, and AIUB Board of Trustees Founding Member and APUB Secretary General Ishtiaque Abedin addressed the event. AIUB Board of Trustees Chairperson Nadia Anwar delivered the vote of thanks during the opening.
The forum featured three technical sessions on QS Rankings methodology, Bangladesh’s ranking landscape, and the QS Rankings 2028 Cycle.
It also held two panel discussions: "From Campus to Capability: Closing Bangladesh's Future Skills Gap in the AI Era" and "Accelerating Digital Transformation in Higher Education." Discussions addressed AI-era skill needs, industry alignment, and technology adoption.
AIUB Board of Trustees Member and Former VC Dr Carmen Zita Lamagna delivered the vote of thanks at the closing session.
The forum laid out a strategic roadmap for the upcoming QS World University Rankings 2028 cycle, opening new avenues for collaboration among universities, government, international partners, and industry.
-SA/Press Release
Loading...
Loading...
Also read
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
