UGC plans modern language centres in 25 universities to boost global competitiveness and internationalise higher education nationwide. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, July 30, 2026 (BSS)- University Grants Commission (UGC) has undertaken an initiative to establish modern language centres in 25 universities across the country to enhance the global competitiveness of Bangladeshi students, internationalize higher education, and attract foreign students.

The centres will offer courses in eight international languages, including Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, French, and German.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed disclosed it while addressing as the chief guest at a views-exchange meeting with foreign students studying at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) today.

The meeting was organised at BAU to encourage the enrolment of international students in Bangladesh, identify existing challenges, and review their experiences.

The UGC Chairman said, “The present government has planned to introduce a third language into the education system. As a result, there will be a demand for skilled foreign language teachers from primary to higher education. 

The proposed language centres will help meet that demand while facilitating students’ access to global employment opportunities. In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and artificial intelligence, multilingual proficiency has become an essential competency, he added.

Dr Mamun said the UGC is formulating a five-year strategic plan to elevate higher education to global standards, with the primary goal of establishing Bangladesh as a regional education hub in South Asia. 

To facilitate services for international students, he said, an International Desk will be established in coordination with the ministries of foreign affairs, home affairs, and education. 

In addition, in the first phase, five public and five private universities will be developed as model ‘Education Hubs’ with international-standard accommodation and modern facilities, he added.