TBM Report
Bangladesh will prioritize Mandarin Chinese as a third language across higher education institutions to boost career readiness and international collaboration, announced University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed.
Under a new initiative, UGC will set up dedicated language centers in 30 universities within the next three months.
The UGC chairman revealed the plan on Tuesday during a bilateral meeting at the UGC headquarters with a six-member delegation representing the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka and Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University.
Currently, 10 universities in the country operate language centers. Expanding the infrastructure to 20 additional campuses will allow students across 30 universities to acquire modern language skills alongside Bengali and English.
Addressing the delegation, Professor Mamun Ahmed stressed that rapidly expanding bilateral trade, economic partnerships, and technological cooperation make language proficiency vital. He urged the Chinese government to assist in training Bangladeshi instructors, both locally and through specialized programs in China, while suggesting that Chinese universities introduce Bengali language courses to deepen cultural ties.
The delegation, led by Cultural Counsellor Li Shaofeng, assured that Bangladeshi teachers would receive language instruction under China’s Global Teachers Training Program. Discussions also covered a five-year higher education transformation plan, technical education partnerships, joint research, and expanded scholarship and internship options for Bangladeshi graduates.
 Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed.){kind=link}