Dhaka:Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam has returned home following official visits to Japan and South Korea. The visits were aimed at bolstering international academic cooperation, promoting joint research initiatives, and exploring opportunities for developing entrepreneurship.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during his visit to Japan, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Dhaka University and Kagawa University to enhance and expand academic collaboration. The DU VC noted that Japan has long been a crucial development partner for Bangladesh in various sectors, including education, science, and technology. The MoU is expected to strengthen existing relationships and create new opportunities for faculty and student exchanges, joint research, academic meetings, and knowledge sharing.
The DU VC held high-level meetings with authorities from Ehime University and Kagawa University to reinforce ongoing academic and research collaborations. He also extended an invitation to Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) President Professor Dr. Atsushi Sunami to attend the university's 54th Convocation as the speaker, with SPF Executive Director Eiji Sakai receiving the letter on behalf of the president. Additionally, the VC met with Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) President Professor Takeuchi Kazuhiko to enhance institutional research cooperation.
In South Korea, the DU VC participated in a program focused on understanding the country's entrepreneurship development ecosystem, aiming to foster innovation and creativity in Bangladeshi universities. The visit included representatives from 14 higher educational institutions, supported by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, under the "Capacity Building of Universities for Promoting Youth Entrepreneurship (Creative Bangladesh)" project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
An eight-day management-level training program was conducted in South Korea from October 25 to November 1, with a separate training program for faculty members and instructors scheduled from October 25 to November 8, 2026. The visit is anticipated to aid participating institutions in developing effective support mechanisms and building a robust entrepreneurship ecosystem within their respective universities.