“ROLE OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION, FUTURE DIRECTIONS,
AND A JOINT ACTION PLAN FOR ACHIEVING NATIONAL GOALS.”
APUB policy dialogue titled “Role of Private Universities: Students’ Future, Policy Reform and the Roadmap to National Development”, organized by the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh (APUB), was successfully held on May 05, 2026, bringing together key policymakers, education leaders, industry representatives, and distinguished stakeholders to discuss the future of higher education in Bangladesh.
The program focused on critical issues including student employability, skill development, innovation, policy reform, and the role of higher education in driving national economic growth and global competitiveness.
The event was graced by the presence of the Hon’ble Minister of Education, the Hon’ble Education Adviser to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Hon’ble Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, the Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, Members of Parliament (MPs), members of the APUB Executive Committee, members of the Boards of Trustees of private universities, Vice Chancellors, eminent academicians, industry leaders, and media personalities.
Key areas of discussion included:
• Outcome-Based Education
• Skill Development & Employability
• Research, Innovation & Global Ranking
• Tax-Free Education Policy
• UGC Reform & Faster Approval Systems
• Industry–Academia Collaboration
• Student Innovation Incentives
• Internationally Recognized Legal Framework for Establishing Universities
• Cross-Border Higher Education (CBHE)
• Branch Campus Policy
The speakers unanimously emphasized that Bangladesh must place the highest priority on student skills, innovation, research, and employment opportunities in order to build a world-class higher education ecosystem.
The seminar strongly reaffirmed the belief that:Protecting the future of students means protecting the future of the nation.
With visionary policies, internationally aligned academic standards, and strong collaboration among academia, industry, and government, Bangladesh has the potential to emerge as a global hub for skilled human resources, research, innovation, and quality higher education.