Dhaka:The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has initiated steps to increase the number of Master's and PhD scholarships available to Bangladeshi teachers, researchers, and students through the US Fulbright Programme. This development follows a decision made at a meeting between the UGC and the Public Diplomacy Department of the US Embassy in Dhaka, held at the UGC Bhaban in the Agargaon area of the city.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to enhance academic cooperation between universities in Bangladesh and the United States. The MoU includes plans for faculty and researcher exchanges, as well as opportunities for joint research. Additionally, a joint working committee, comprising representatives from the UGC and the US Embassy in Dhaka, will be formed to outline the areas of cooperation and establish the implementation mechanisms.
At the meeting, US Embassy Acting Public Affairs Counselor Scott Hartmann discussed various aspects of the Fulbright Programme, including the Fulbright Foreign Student Programme. UGC Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed emphasized that collaboration with the Fulbright Programme would enhance opportunities for Bangladeshi academics and students to engage in international academic exchanges.
Furthermore, the UGC is considering the launch of a new initiative called 'UGC-Fulbright', which aims to introduce PhD scholarships focused on research in priority sectors within Bangladesh. The meeting was attended by UGC Member Professor Dr. Md Aslam Hossain, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh Professor Shamsad Mortuza, UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, Director of the International Collaboration Division Dr. Sultan Mahmud Bhuiyan, and US Embassy Public Engagement Specialist Raihana Sultana, along with Public Engagement Coordinator Faroha Suhrawardy.