DHAKA: In a move to strengthen bilateral educational ties, the University of Dhaka (DU) in Bangladesh has lifted its longstanding ban on admitting Pakistani students.
Professor Saima Haque, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Admin), announced that Pakistani students will now be eligible to enroll at DU. Similarly, Bangladeshi students will have the opportunity to pursue higher education in Pakistan.
The decision was reportedly made to foster academic cooperation between the two countries, according to Express News. Professor Haque confirmed that the policy will be implemented once DU’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, signs the required documentation. She noted that the Vice-Chancellor is currently abroad.
The move follows proposals from Pakistan for scholarships and academic seminars aimed at benefiting DU students and faculty. Professor Haque explained that the DU syndicate unanimously approved these proposals when presented by the Vice-Chancellor.
The ban, initially imposed on December 14, 2015, during the tenure of then-Vice-Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, had severed all academic relations with Pakistan. It restricted DU students and faculty from engaging with Pakistani institutions and prohibited visits or delegation exchanges.
In a marked shift, the reinstatement of academic ties reflects DU’s focus on the broader interests of its students and staff, paving the way for renewed collaborations.
