CA inaugurates three-day South Asian regional conference on higher education

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday inaugurated a three-day South Asian regional conference on higher education at a city hotel.

The conference, titled “South Asian Regional Conference on the State of Higher Education and Future Pathways (SARCHE 2026)”, is being organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh and was formally opened this morning.

Education Adviser Professor Dr CR Abrar attended the inaugural session as the special guest, while UGC Chairman Professor Dr SMA Faiz presided over the ceremony.

Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Rehana Perven and World Bank Division Director Jean Pesme joined the programme as guests of honour. UGC Member Professor Dr Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan delivered the welcome address.

Advisers of the interim government, vice-chancellors of public and private universities, scholars, researchers and diplomats were also present at the opening session.

UGC officials said the conference is being held under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project, which is being implemented by the UGC with financial support from the government of Bangladesh and the World Bank.

The event has drawn around 30 international participants, including delegates from the United Kingdom, the Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, along with representatives from the World Bank. The conference will conclude on January 15.

Representatives of UGCs and higher education commissions from SAARC member countries, vice-chancellors of universities from different nations, as well as academicians and researchers are taking part in the three-day programme.

According to the UGC, the conference aims to raise the standard of higher education in Bangladesh and further strengthen cooperation and networking among SAARC countries.

A total of eight sessions are scheduled over the three days. On the opening day, discussions are focusing on “The Current State of Higher Education in South Asia: Governance, Quality and Inclusion” and “Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Social Engagement.”

The second day will feature sessions on artificial intelligence integration, digital transformation and smart learning ecosystems, graduate employability and industry–academia collaboration, future pathways of higher education through cooperation and networking, civil society perspectives on higher education reform, and dialogue with vice-chancellors in the context of the HEAT Project.

On the final day, participants will discuss gender-related issues in higher education, before the conference concludes with the adoption of the Dhaka Higher Education Declaration.