APUB leaders meet Tarique Rahman; recall Khaleda Zia’s role in shaping higher education

Leaders of the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh (APUB) have expressed condolences at the death of Begum Khaleda Zia and recalled her contribution to the country’s higher education sector.

An eight-member APUB delegation met BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman at his Gulshan office on Sunday, 18 January, says a press release. The delegation was led by APUB president Md Sabur Khan and secretary general Ishtiaque Abedin.

During the meeting, the leaders recalled the policy decision taken in 1992 under Khaleda Zia’s leadership to allow the establishment of private universities. They said the move marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s higher education system and expanded access to internationally recognised curricula.

They noted that more than 400,000 students are currently enrolled in private universities, contributing to human resource development, employment generation and global engagement.

The hour-long discussion also covered the current state of higher education, the role of private universities, existing challenges and future prospects. Tarique Rahman highlighted content creation, freelancing and online trading as key sources of foreign currency earnings for educated youth and professionals. He also spoke about plans to develop modern hi-tech cities to support such activities.

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed; APUB Vice Chairman K. B. M. Moin Uddin Chishti; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of North South University Aziz Al Kaiser; Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of BRAC University Tamara Hasan Abed; Member of the Board of Trustees of North South University M. A. Kashem; and Member of the Board of Trustees of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) Javed Hossain were present at the meeting.