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Bangladesh’s higher education sector must embrace digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to improve global competitiveness, said Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed.
He said the focus should remain on quality education, stronger research and producing employable graduates.
He made the remarks as the guest of honour at the ‘QS Bangladesh Forum-2026’, organised by American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) at the Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka on Monday (August 17).
Professor Mamun Ahmed said the UGC has adopted a five-year strategic plan to transform Bangladesh’s higher education sector. The plan focuses on improving research quality, ensuring quality education, enhancing employability, accelerating digital transformation and internationalisation, and developing skilled human resources to meet changing labour-market demands at home and abroad.
Emphasising digital transformation, he said universities must ensure effective use of modern technologies in education, research, administration, information management and student services. They must also build teachers’ and students’ skills in AI and other emerging technologies.
“We want to engage more effectively with the international ranking system. At the same time, we must continue strengthening the capacity of our universities, advancing digital transformation, improving research quality and making higher education modern and technology-driven,” he said.
“Rankings will be an indicator of our progress, but the quality of education and student success will remain our core objectives,” he added.
The UGC chairman said international university rankings are important, but they cannot be the sole measure of a university’s success. The main objectives should be quality education, knowledge creation, research and innovation, and producing skilled and employable citizens.
