Photos Muhammad Iqbal Roslan
SINTOK, 16 June 2026: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) welcomed a high-level diplomatic delegation led by the Honourable His Excellency Mr. Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, High Commissioner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Malaysia, during in a courtesy visit that underscored the shared commitment of both nations to strengthening academic cooperation and foster closer people-to-people relations.
Accompaying the High Commissioner was Mr. Pranab Kumar Ghosh, First Secretary of the High Commission of Bangladesh. The delegation was warmly received by UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Meeting Room. Also present during the meeting were Associate Prof. Dr. Ahmad Hisham Zainal Abidin, Director of the Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC), together with CIAC officials.
In his welcoming remarks, the Vice-Chancellor described the visit as a significant milestone in advancing bilateral academic relations between Malaysia and Bangladesh. “This occasion is far more than a diplomatic courtesy call; it represents a meaningful step towards strengthening academic collaboration and fostering enduring goodwill between Malaysia, particularly UUM, and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,” he said.
Highlighting the University’s growing Bangladeshi community, Prof. Ahmad Martadha noted that UUM is currently home to 29 Bangladeshi students, comprising 11 postgraduate and 18 undergraduate students. In addition, the University is privileged to have five distinguished Bangladeshi academics serving invarious capacities, whose expertise and contributions have enriched UUM’s teaching, research, and scholarly environment.
Reaffirming UUM’s commitment to internationalisation, he emphasised the transformative role of education in shaping a better future. “Together, we can nurture future leaders who will contribute to society, advance impactful research, and further strengthen the longstanding friendship between Malaysia and Bangladesh,” he added.
Expressing his admiration for UUM, His Excellency Mr. Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury shared that he had taken the initiative to learn more about the University before his visit. “I am very impressed with UUM’s achievements in global university rankings. The University is particularly well recognised for its strengths in Banking, Finance, Economics, Accounting and Management programmes,” he remarked.
The High Commissioner also highlighted the growing interest among Bangladeshi students in pursuing higher education in Malaysia. He noted that Bangladesh remains one of the major contributors to Malaysia’s international student population and that more than 100,000 Bangladeshi students currently studying abroad. According to him, Malaysia has emerged as an attractive destination for higher education owing to its quality education institutions, cultural and religious similarities, and the relative ease with which Bangladeshi students can adapt to the local environment.
Sharing valuable insights on how UUM could attract more students from Bangladesh, he suggested the introduction of partial and full scholarship opportunities, greater flexibility in admission pathways, and more extensive promotional and outreach initiatives. He further proposed that such efforts be undertaken in collaboration with the High Commission of Malaysia in Dhaka to enhance the University’s visibility among prospective students.
The High Commissioner also observed that while UUM’s position within the Top 500 band of the QS and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 is a notable achievement, greater emphasis should also be placed on promoting the University’s outstanding subject-specific rankings. “Some of UUM’s academic disciplines, particularly Accounting and Finance, are ranked among the Top 300 globally. These achievements deserve greater international promotion,” he said.
Beyond student recruitment, His Excellency encouraged UUM to deepen institutional engagement with universities in Bangladesh through collaborative research projects, academic exchanges, and joint educational initiatives. “I hope UUM will not only focus on recruiting international students but also collaborate closely with Bangladeshi universities to advance the higher education landscape in both countries. I am ready to facilitate such collaborations,” he said. He also extended an invitation to the UUM Vice-Chancellor to visit Bangladesh and the High Commission office in Kuala Lumpur as a means of further strengthening bilateral engagement.
Earlier in the day, the High Commissioner and the First Secretary met with Bangladeshi lecturers and students at UUM. The delegation also visited the UUM Welcome Centre and toured the University’s picturesque campus, accompanied by officials from CIAC.
The visit reflects UUM’s continued commitment to expanding its international network and cultivating meaningful global partnerships. Such engagements not only enhance academic excellence and research collaboration but also promote cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and sustainable development across borders. – Mohd Azri Abdul Aziz
