Netherlands delegation meets KU Vice-Chancellor Rezaul Karim, seeking cooperation to build stronger Bangladesh-Netherlands people-to-people partnerships. Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Aug 10, 2026 (BSS) - A visiting Netherlands delegation today paid a courtesy call on Khulna University (KU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Rezaul Karim, seeking the university's cooperation in building a "People's Partnership" between Bangladesh and the Netherlands.

The delegation comprised Rob Vissers and Timo Koren, Benjamin Loman of Vice Versa Global and Ginny Marissen of Utrecht University.

During the meeting, the delegation members said the "People's Partnership" could serve as a new-generation model of international cooperation between Bangladesh and the Netherlands.

Under the initiative, young people from the two countries could jointly develop and implement social projects, while schools and universities could exchange knowledge and experiences. Journalists could also work together to highlight stories from the two countries, while businesses could collaborate on innovative activities.

The initiative could further facilitate joint research institutions and experience-sharing between local governments and public institutions, they said.

The delegation expressed hope for KU's overall cooperation in implementing the initiative, saying such a partnership could eventually encourage similar collaborations between other countries.

Prof Rezaul Karim said KU had already worked jointly with several Dutch universities, including Wageningen University & Research and Utrecht University, on various issues.

He assured the delegation of all possible cooperation from KU in implementing the "People's Partnership" concept.

The VC also suggested setting up a Netherlands corner at major university events, including KU Day on November 25, to inform students about educational and research opportunities in the Netherlands.

He also invited the delegation to work with representatives of the Khulna University Journalists' Association (KUBISA) and other university clubs.

The KU side informed the delegation that a university team had recently visited the Netherlands and participated in a summer school there. Many KU students have also pursued higher education and completed PhDs at different Dutch universities.

The meeting was told that interest among KU students in pursuing higher education abroad is increasing, particularly in the United States and Europe.

Expanding higher education opportunities at Dutch universities could enable a significant number of KU students to study there, participants said.

They also proposed organising a "Cultural Day" or "Cultural Week" at KU to introduce students and members of the university community to the Netherlands' education and research environment and its culture.

Such programmes could further strengthen people-to-people relations between the two countries, they said, seeking cooperation from the Dutch delegation in this regard.

During the meeting, the KU VC presented the delegation members with crests bearing the university's monogram.

Acting Dean of the KU School of Law Prof Dr Md Nasif Ahsan, Director of the Office of International Affairs Prof Dr Md Ashiq Ur Rahman and Director of the Central Research Laboratory Prof Dr Md Enamul Kabir were also present.