HEAT project envisages to internationalize higher education: UGC Chairman

Professor Abdul Mannan, Chairman of UGC said the proposed Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project will upgrade tertiary education, enhance connectivity and create women leadership in A number of countries in South East Asia.

‘It will create a common platform for higher education and research in South Asia and encourage innovations in social science, science and technology,’ he said.

The Chairman of UGC was addressing a meeting with the visiting Afghanistan delegation on HEAT project at University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh on 23 April 2019.

World Bank, the Governments of Bangladesh and Afghanistan are expected to finance the five-year long HEAT project. The first-ever regional project’s aim is to improve national and regional bodies involved in higher education and research. UGC will be the implementing agency of the project once finalized.

Addressing the meeting, the leader of visiting delegation, Professor Hamidullah Farooqui, Chancellor of Kabul University said “It's a major challenge for the country to upgrade their higher education. Besides, the project will enhance capacity for the technical education.’

Under HEAT project, joint research activities, exchange program, soft skills training facilities will also be provided for the member countries.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Yousuf Ali Mollah, Professor Dr. Dil Afroza Begum, Members, UGC; Dr. Md. Khaled, Secretary, UGC Dr. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, Senior Operations Officer, World Bank, representatives from Afghanistan, officials from UGC and WB were also present.