ULAB moves towards joint PhD programme with University of Portsmouth

The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) has moved a step closer to offering a joint PhD programme in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth (UoP), United Kingdom, with the soft launching of the initiative held online on August 6, 2026. The online programme, conducted through Zoom, brought together senior officials and academics from ULAB and the UoP, along with project partners and representatives involved in quality assurance and international engagement.

The event began with welcome remarks by Prof. Shamsad Mortuza, PhD, Vice-Chancellor, ULAB. Bobby Mehta, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), UoP, and Jacqueline Priego, PhD, Associate Dean (Global Engagement), UoP. ULAB was represented by Prof. Jude William R. Genilo, PhD, Pro Vice-Chancellor.

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Other distinguished participants included Md Musharoff Hossain, PhD, Founder President, Federation of Bangladesh Human Resource Organizations (FBHRO), Bangladesh, as a project partner, and Piers Wall of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), UK. Prof. Shahnaj Husne Jahan, PhD, Head, GED Department, ULAB, Jaina Hunt, UK-side Liaison, and Parvez Mahmud, PhD, Project Director, ULAB-side, were also present.

Following the initial speeches, an interactive workshop on Transnational Education (TNE) was conducted. Participants were divided into two groups and discussed a series of key questions related to TNE, sharing their opinions, experiences, and recommendations concerning the development of the proposed joint PhD programme.

At the end of the group discussions, Prof. Jude William R. Genilo and Dr Jacqueline Priego presented a summary of the major issues, suggestions, and recommendations emerging from the two groups.

The soft launching marks an important milestone in ULAB's continuing efforts to expand international partnerships and develop opportunities for advanced research and doctoral education. The proposed collaboration with the University of Portsmouth is expected to strengthen academic and research links between Bangladesh and the UK while creating new opportunities for internationally connected doctoral education through TNE.