Acumen-UK Universities’ Mission to Explore Educational Frontiers in Bangladesh

EVENT AGENDA

Acumen-UK Universities’ Mission to Explore Educational Frontiers in Bangladesh

Supported by the British Council, Bangladesh

April23-252024 Dhaka, Bangladesh

BANGLADESH, A PRIME INTERNATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY

South Asia has been a key source market for international student recruitment for Universities across the UK, US, and Canada.

According to the ICEF monitor, Bangladesh has emerged as a significant study-abroad market in South Asia, driven by its large population and growing economy. With nearly half of its 160 million citizens under the age of 24, there is a strong demand for education opportunities overseas.

At present, 44 lakh students are enrolled in 53 public and 111 private universities and their affiliated colleges in the country. According to Bangladesh Education Statistics 2021, the number of students enrolled in private universities has also increased dramatically between 2019 and 2021, rising from 120,276 to a whopping 328,689.

• The number of Bangladeshi students going abroad for higher studies has tripled in 15 years. While the government established 25 new public universities and approved 56 private universities since 2008, the flow of students leaving did not recede due to the lack of proper infrastructure and capabilities in higher education, political uncertainties, and limited scope of employment opportunities in the country.

• The country is home to various international schools (primarily in Dhaka and Chittagong) that offer Canadian, Australian, American, and British curriculums. Many such leading schools are also members of the Dhaka International Schools Association, which aims to promote professionalism and share best practices. Most private schools in Bangladesh teach in English and offer British qualifications, such as IGCSEs, O-levels, A-levels, and the Cambridge Pre-U.

• According to the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Dhaka University and North South University were ranked between 601 and 800. Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, and Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) were ranked between 1,201 and 1,500. The DU and the NSU have been ranked 186th and 192nd respectively in the UK-based Times’ Asia University Rankings 2023.

- Universal College Bangladesh (UCB), an exclusive partner of Monash College, Australia, and the only Ministry of Education-approved study centre, is running programmes following a global curriculum and helping students prepare for global education in different international institutes.

Recently, the UK made adjustments to its immigration policies to accommodate international students which provides a great opportunity for UK universities to attract Bangladeshi students

WHY CONSIDER BANGLADESH FOR HIGHER EDUCATION RECRUITMENT?

Bangladesh, the second-largest economy in South Asia, made a rapid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic led by its judicious macroeconomic policies, with estimated GDP growth of 6% in 2023. The Asian Development Bank estimates the country to have a GDP growth of 6.5% in 2024. Poverty in the country has also declined from 11.8% in 2010 to 5% in 2022.

Despite recent economic challenges including the spillovers from the RussiaUkraine war and global monetary tightening, Bangladesh’s economy has been steadily growing, driven by increasing exports, foreign investment, and a growing domestic market. According to the World Bank, Bangladesh’s growth is expected to continue to accelerate over the medium term, as inflationary pressure eases, external conditions improve, and reform implementation gains momentum.

In terms of outbound student mobility, the number of Bangladeshi students pursuing tertiary studies abroad has been increasing steadily. The overall increase in the number of Bangladeshi students going abroad can be attributed to the desire for better qualifications, skill development, and improved job prospects. The growth also reflects Bangladesh’s progress in terms of

• According to Kazi Faridul Hoque, president of the FACD-CAB, “not all students get a scholarship. In fact, a significant number of them go for higher studies with their own funds, often provided by their families. Some of them get a partial tuition fee waiver.”

According to UNESCO, nearly 24,112 students went abroad from Bangladesh in 2015, with the number quadrupling by 2020. Presently, about 70,000-90,000 Bangladeshi students travel overseas for higher studies every year. The UK was highlighted among the top 10 study destinations for Bangladeshi students seeking education abroad, witnessing a 90% YoY growth in 2021/22. Also, Bangladesh is the 6th largest source of students for higher studies in the UK.

• According to the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), among the top engineering universities in the country, on average, 40% to 50% of students from each batch of the university go abroad for higher education.

Prodip Roy, chief consultant of PAC Asia,

to his organisation for higher studies abroad doubled in 2022 when compared to the pre-pandemic era.

• Per the officials at the Foreign Admission and Career Development Consultations Association of Bangladesh (FACD-CAB), around 80,000-90,000 students take consultation every year to pursue higher studies abroad.

• According to the entry clearance visa applications and outcomes data from UK’s Home Office, for 2023/24, the Visa Approval rate for Bangladeshi students opting to study in the UK stood at 97%. Despite difficulties in demonstrating clear study plans or academic progression, incomplete/ fake documentation, and incomplete/ fake financial records submitted by some students, the majority of Bangladeshi students were successful in obtaining UK student visas during the period.

• Popular subject interests in Bangladesh include business, engineering, computer science, and hospitality, events and tourism. This provides an opportunity for

KEY SESSIONS AND ATTENDEES

Day 1 - Tuesday, 23rd April 2024

ARRIVAL AT DHAKA

By 12:00 Noon

Pan Pacific, Sonargaon - 107 Kazi Nazrul Islam Ave, Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh

UK Universities’ mission arrives at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and reaches the hotel for check-in.

MEET AND GREET SESSION

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Cafe Bazar, Pan Pacific, Sonargaon 107 Kazi Nazrul Islam Ave, Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh

The participants gather for a meet and greet session over lunch and exciting engagement activities.

BRIEFING BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

British Council Bangladesh 5 Fuller Road, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

The session, led by the British Council (BC) in Bangladesh, will focus on the country’s higher education sector, the role of BC in promoting international higher education in the country, concerns surrounding student quality and visa rejections, and the opportunities for UK Universities.

NETWORKING DINNER

6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Cafe Bazar, Pan Pacific, Sonargaon 107 Kazi Nazrul Islam Ave, Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh

Day 1 ends with a networking dinner for participants with School Counsellors, the International Offices of Universities, and the British Council team.

*All timings are in BST (Bangladesh Standard Time)

KEY SESSIONS AND ATTENDEES

Day 2 - Wednesday, 24th April 2024

‘STUDY IN THE UK’ SHOWCASE

8:00 am - 9:15 am

Grace International School, House-6B Rd 02, Gulshan 1, Dhaka

9:45 am - 10:45 am

Australian International School (AusIS), Joarshahara, Khilkhet, Dhaka-1229

The UK Universities’ mission will visit a reputed high school in Dhaka, to explore the campus facilities and interact with the faculty and students from different schools to learn more about the student trends and preferences for studying abroad and explore opportunities for student recruitment for UK universities.

BRIEFING BY THE UGC BANGLADESH

11:30 am - 1:30 pm

The session, led by the University Grants Commission (UGC) Bangladesh, will shed light on Bangladesh’s higher education sector, initiatives, policies and regulations impacting the sector and ways to ensure genuineness and high quality students mobility, among others. The session will be followed by lunch.

‘STUDY IN THE UK’ SHOWCASE AT DAFFODIL INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Daffodil Smart City (DSC), Birulia, Savar, Dhaka-1216

The UK Universities’ mission will visit a top ranked private university campus in Dhaka, to interact with students and faculty from different universities and explore the trends, scope, and opportunities for international student recruitment from Universities in Bangladesh.

NETWORKING DINNER

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Aqua Deck, InterContinental Dhaka 1 Minto Rd, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Day 2 ends with a networking dinner for participants, Education Agent Heads, and the British Council Team.

*All timings are in BST (Bangladesh Standard Time)

KEY SESSIONS AND ATTENDEES

Day 3 - Thursday, 25th April 2024

‘STUDY IN THE UK’ SHOWCASE AT MAPLE LEAF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

9:00 am - 11:00 am

Maple Leaf International School, House No. 95/1, Road No. 11/A, Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Post check-out from the hotel, the UK Universities’ mission will visit a reputed high school in Dhaka, that provides its students with international curricula. The visit aims to facilitate the understanding of differences in campus facilities, student preferences, and recruitment opportunities from schools that offer globally recognised curricula such as IB, Cambridge, and others.

DEPART FOR THE AIRPORT

11:30 am - 3:00 pm

Day 3 ends with the mission leaving for the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, filled with insights on Bangladesh’s higher education sector, potential for recruitment opportunities, and feedback from schools and universities, among others.

*All timings are in BST (Bangladesh Standard Time)

WHY OPT FOR ACUMEN’S UK DELEGATION TO DHAKA, BANGLADESH?

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh and the home to the country’s premier schools and universities. While there is a host of reasons for a UK university delegation to visit Bangladesh, we’ve listed the key ones below:

• Country briefing by the University Grants Commission and the Bangladesh chapter of the British Council

• Visits to school and university campuses for a first hand experience of the education hubs in the country

• Participate in specially curated student fairs (Study in the UK)

• Support subject and domicile diversity across South Asia

• Discussions with higher education stakeholders (schools/ universities/ agents/ UGC, and BC) on quality assurance concerns while recruiting students for higher education in the UK

Insights into motivators for students seeking higher education, student preferences, their areas of concern, and the potential for offering vocational training and professional qualifications

• Networking with Bangladesh universities’ International Directors, schools, and agents

ABOUT ACUMEN

Acumen is committed to helping globallyambitious university and education partners enter, explore and expand in South Asia, South East Asia, and beyond.

We offer a dedicated range of services to drive recruitment, student enrolment, develop strategic partnerships, and research collaboration. As a result, we act as an extension of your brand, by connecting you with the world’s best students, utilising strategic international education opportunities, understanding your ideal market through research and insights, and help mitigate any risks along the way.

We operate in over 20 countries, with more than 250 industry practitioners with deep local knowledge and global expertise. We help navigate a competitive education landscape from end to end, while always prioritising your success.

For any queries, please contact:

Dhruba Jyoti Malkhandi Associate Director – Partner Success (UK)

dhruba.malkhandi@sannams4.com