UGC, BC sign partnership agreement

City Dsek :

A partnership agreement has been signed between the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC), implementing the ‘Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HIT)’ project, and the British Council (BC) to lead the advancement of higher education, improve teacher skills, and build institutional capacity in Bangladesh.

The agreement ceremony was held recently at the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, initiated by Baroness Rosie Winterton, the UK government’s Trade Envoy to Bangladesh.

The signing was conducted by Stephen Forbes, Country Director of the British Council Bangladesh, and Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman, Director of the HIT project, says a press release.

Under this partnership, the British Council and its UK partner Advance Higher Education will support the HIT project in enhancing the professional skills of Bangladeshi teachers, academic leadership, and institutional capacity development.

This collaboration aims to connect Bangladesh’s higher education sector with global standards and establish a sustainable professional development framework.

The event was attended by Baroness Wendy Alexander, Vice Chair of the British Council and Member of the House of Lords; UGC Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Faiz; UGC members Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan and Professor Dr. Masuma Habib; Vice-Chancellors Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman of BUET, Professor Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury of North South University; Registrar Dr. David Dowland of BRAC University; World Bank Task Team Leader TM Asaduzzaman; Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to the UK Abida Islam; British Council Bangladesh’s Education Head Toufiq Hasan; and Sub-Project Director of HIT, Md. Khorshed Alam.

UGC Chairman Professor Faiz described the partnership as a timely and strategic step in reforming Bangladesh’s higher education sector.

He added, “Together with the World Bank and the UK’s Advance Higher Education, we are investing in leadership, educational excellence, and institutional quality, laying the foundation for a globally connected higher education system.”

Stephen Forbes, Country Director of British Council Bangladesh, remarked, “Our long-term partnership with UGC reflects our joint commitment to raising standards in Bangladesh’s higher education, administrative capabilities, and leadership.

This agreement will strengthen that commitment and open pathways for deeper future collaboration.”

Baroness Rosie Winterton, the event organizer, said, “This partnership represents a long-term collaboration between the UK and Bangladesh in education and skills development-education being the strongest bridge within the nation.”