An exchange of views meeting, chaired by Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon, was held today. Photo: UGC

DHAKA, July 23, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has undertaken an initiative to finalise a five-year "National Action Plan for Higher Education Transformation and Sustainable Excellence (2026-2030)" to raise the country's higher education to international standards.

To this end, an exchange of views meeting, chaired by Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon, was held today at the UGC chairman's conference room this morning, said a press release.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Education and the UGC exchanged views on the draft national action plan at the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Ehsanul Hoque Milon said the UGC's leadership must be made more effective and dynamic to raise higher education to the desired standard. 

He said initiatives should be taken to implement the successful aspects and experiences of higher education reforms in different countries in line with Bangladesh's realities.

The minister particularly called for formulating an integrated national policy to attract foreign students and establish Bangladesh as a regional destination for higher education.

In this regard, he advised drawing on the experiences of countries including China, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Pakistan.

In his Speech, UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed said the long-term reform plan had been adopted to align the country’s higher education with changing global realities and labour market demands.

The action plan identifies five strategic priorities: enhancing graduates' employability through demand-driven education, strengthening university-industry collaboration, promoting digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), faculty development, and excellence and internationalsation in research.

The UGC chairman also said the plan has set a target of introducing Outcome-Based Education (OBE), Career Development Centres, Learning Management Systems (LMS) and digital administration at all universities in the country by 2030.

The plan also includes targets to double research publications and patents as well as develop Bangladesh as one of the regional hubs for higher education and research.

A series of consultation meetings involving universities, industry representatives and other relevant stakeholders will be held to finalise the draft action plan.