Dhaka: The University Grants Commission (UGC) is set to introduce third-language learning programmes at 30 public and private universities nationwide by January 2027, aiming to bolster students’ multilingual capabilities and enhance their competitiveness in the global job market. UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed revealed this initiative during a meeting today, as announced in a press release issued by UGC.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the programme is designed to represent all eight divisions of the country, focusing on regional manpower demand, public interest, university capacity, and existing infrastructure. The initiative will offer eight languages: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, and Italian, with priority initially given to Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Italian based on demand and readiness.
UGC will evaluate the language centres currently operating at 10 universities while considering establishing new ones. Dhaka University, for instance, already provides courses in 13 languages, which serves as a benchmark for expanding language offerings at other institutions.
The commission plans to train qualified language instructors, upgrade facilities, establish language laboratories, and introduce technology-based learning materials. Additionally, UGC will seek assistance from foreign language experts and institutions when necessary, ensuring the programme’s quality and effectiveness.
A common policy will be developed by UGC to cover various aspects such as course operation, trainer recruitment, quality assurance, infrastructure, technology, and monitoring. The centres are intended to serve both university students and interested learners from the general public at affordable costs, ensuring they remain educational rather than commercial entities.