Dhaka: Australia has expressed its interest in expanding cooperation with Bangladesh in technical education as well as sports education to support the country's human resource development efforts. The interest was conveyed by Julian Hill, MP, Australian Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Minister for International Education during a meeting with Prime Minister's Adviser and his Office Spokesperson Dr Mahdi Amin at the Bangladesh Secretariat here this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Susan Tyle, Australia's High Commission to Bangladesh, was present on the occasion. The two sides discussed a wide range of issues relating to expanding bilateral cooperation in the education sector, strengthening people-to-people contacts, enhancing university-to-university partnerships, and promoting industry-academia collaboration, said a press release.
During the meeting, Mahdi Amin stressed the importance of prioritising the country's youth and highlighted the government's initiatives on employment generation, technical and vocational education, compulsory technical education, integration of technology into primary education, inclusion of sports and culture in the new curriculum, joyful learning, and increasing scholarships for students.
The discussions also focused on expanding the presence and activities of Australian universities in Bangladesh, strengthening collaboration between universities of the two countries, leveraging the role of the Bangladeshi diaspora in Australia, and exploring new avenues of bilateral partnership. Both sides expressed interest in undertaking joint initiatives in education, research, skills development, and human resource development.
Assistant Minister Julian Hill expressed Australia's willingness to cooperate with Bangladesh in sports education and technical and vocational education. Hill also sought to learn about the challenges facing Bangladesh's education sector and the government's long-term plans.
The meeting further discussed increasing engagement between Australian universities and Bangladesh, creating greater opportunities for Bangladeshi students, promoting education and skills development, labour mobility, international movement of skilled professionals, labour market cooperation, and the observance of International Mother Language Day. The Australian assistant minister listened with interest to the government's education initiatives and reaffirmed Australia's commitment to strengthening cooperation in the sector.
Both sides also expressed a positive outlook towards reinforcing the long-term education partnership between Bangladesh and Australia, with a focus on developing skilled human resources, promoting international education and research collaboration, and creating greater opportunities for future generations.
Cameron Green, chief of staff to Assistant Minister Hill, Dr Damian Oliver, acting first assistant secretary of International Division under Department of Education, George Thiveos, minister-counsellor of Education and Research of South Asia, Department of Education, Steven Biddle, regional director of South Asia, Department of Home Affairs, Reuben Gray, counsellor of Department of Home Affairs, Jacob De Leon, second secretary development of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mahmudul Hasan, senior manager security of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade were present among others.