Khulna: A visiting Netherlands delegation today paid a courtesy call on Khulna University (KU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Rezaul Karim, seeking the university's cooperation in building a "People's Partnership" between Bangladesh and the Netherlands.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the delegation comprised Rob Vissers and Timo Koren, along with Benjamin Loman of Vice Versa Global and Ginny Marissen of Utrecht University. During the meeting, the delegation members proposed that the "People's Partnership" could serve as a new-generation model of international cooperation between Bangladesh and the Netherlands.
The initiative aims to facilitate joint efforts by young people from both countries in developing and implementing social projects. It also envisions facilitating knowledge and experience exchange between schools and universities, fostering collaborative journalism to highlight stories from both nations, and encouraging business collaborations on innovative activities. The partnership is expected to support joint research institutions and experience-sharing between local governments and public institutions.
The delegation expressed optimism for KU's overall cooperation in implementing the initiative, suggesting that this partnership model could inspire similar collaborations between other countries. Prof Rezaul Karim noted that KU had previously collaborated with several Dutch universities, including Wageningen University and Research and Utrecht University, on various issues. He assured the delegation of KU's full cooperation in realizing the "People's Partnership" concept.
Prof Rezaul Karim further suggested establishing a Netherlands corner at major university events, such as KU Day on November 25, to inform students about educational and research opportunities in the Netherlands. He also invited the delegation to collaborate with representatives of the Khulna University Journalists' Association (KUBISA) and other university clubs.
The KU side informed the delegation of a recent visit by a university team to the Netherlands, where they participated in a summer school. The meeting highlighted the growing interest among KU students in pursuing higher education abroad, particularly in the United States and Europe. Expanding opportunities at Dutch universities could significantly benefit KU students, enabling more of them to study in the Netherlands.
The participants also proposed organizing a "Cultural Day" or "Cultural Week" at KU to familiarize students and the university community with the Netherlands' education, research environment, and culture. Such programs could further strengthen people-to-people relations between the two countries, and the delegation's cooperation was sought in this regard.
During the meeting, the KU VC presented the delegation members with crests bearing the university's monogram. Also present were Acting Dean of the KU School of Law Prof Dr Md Nasif Ahsan, Director of the Office of International Affairs Prof Dr Md Ashiq Ur Rahman, and Director of the Central Research Laboratory Prof Dr Md Enamul Kabir.