KMU Vice-Chancellor Attends UGC-HEAT Vice-Chancellors’ Dialogue on the Future of Higher Education

Professor Dr. Rafiques Salehin, Vice-Chancellor of Khulna Medical University (KMU), attended the two-day Vice-Chancellors’ Dialogue titled “Shaping the Future of Higher Education,” organized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project. The dialogue commenced on Friday, 21 August 2026, at BRAC CDM, Savar, bringing together Vice-Chancellors of public and private universities, higher education policymakers, UGC members, educationists and other stakeholders to discuss the future direction of higher education in Bangladesh. The event provided an important platform for Professor Dr. Rafiques Salehin to engage with national higher education policymakers and university leaders on issues concerning the quality, relevance and future transformation of higher education. Discussions focused on strengthening graduate employability, research and innovation, university–industry collaboration, digital transformation, internationalisation, good governance and the alignment of academic programmes with national priorities and labour-market needs. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, speaking at the policy dialogue, emphasized the need to establish stronger links between higher education, employment opportunities and entrepreneurship. He called for academic programmes and curricula to be aligned with national economic priorities and labour-market realities, while encouraging universities to promote research that addresses real-world problems and contributes to national development. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Education and Primary and Mass Education Dr Mahdi Amin highlighted the importance of developing graduates with communication, technological, leadership, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills, alongside values, ethics and social responsibility. UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed emphasized that improving the quality of higher education, strengthening graduate skills and addressing the mismatch between university education and employment requirements remain key challenges for Bangladesh. The participation of Professor Dr. Rafiques Salehin in the dialogue reflects Khulna Medical University's commitment to engaging in national-level discussions on higher education reform and contributing to the development of a more responsive, innovative and globally competitive higher education system. The Vice-Chancellors’ Dialogue also provided an opportunity for university leaders to exchange perspectives and experiences and explore collaborative approaches for enhancing education, research and innovation. The outcomes of the dialogue are expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to transform Bangladesh’s higher education sector through improved quality, stronger research capacity, digital transformation, international collaboration and better graduate employability. Khulna Medical University remains committed to advancing quality medical education, research and innovation and to contributing to the broader development and transformation of higher education in Bangladesh.

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