Roundtable Conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh
9th June 2026
Event begins at 10:00. Arrive by 09:30.
BRAC University, Bangladesh
Join the ACU’s Secretary General and CEO, Professor Colin Riordan, and South Asia Representative, Ikita Pokharna, for an in-person roundtable conference, hosted in collaboration with BRAC University.
The ACU’s visit to Bangladesh forms part of our commitment to deepening collaboration with Bangladeshi higher education institutions and supporting sectoral priorities. The purpose of this visit is to strengthen engagement with member institutions, enhance awareness of the ACU, and engage with a wider group of national higher education stakeholders, through the ACU Secretary General’s first visit to the country.
This roundtable is an opportunity to bring together Vice Chancellors and higher education leaders from Bangladesh, including the Chairman of the University Grants Commission Professor Mamun Ahmed, to explore shared priorities and opportunities for collaboration. With higher education systems evolving globally, this session will provide a timely platform to reflect on how institutions in Bangladesh can work collectively and in partnership with global networks, like the ACU, to strengthen resilience and drive sector-wide improvement.
The discussion will highlight how ACU programmes, grants, mobility pathways, and policy networks can support universities in Bangladesh in supporting their priorities. It will also provide an opportunity for HE leaders to network and share best practises. The roundtable will establish a shared understanding of how collaboration can help build stronger, more connected, and future‑ready higher education systems.
Programme:
- 9:30: Registration and networking tea
- 10:00: Welcome and opening remarks – Dr David Dowland, Registrar, BRAC University and Ikita Pokharna, Membership Engagement Lead – South Asia, ACU
- 10:30: ACU’s strategic priorities and recent updates, ACU in Bangladesh - Address by Professor Colin Riordan, General Secretary and CEO, ACU
- 10:45: Higher education in Bangladesh, insights from ACU Council, and how we can work together – Keynote address by Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, Vice Chancellor, University of Dhaka, and ACU Council Member
- 11:00: Introduction to BRAC University, and the power of collaboration locally and globally – Address by Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice Chancellor, BRAC University
- 11:15: - Speech by Professor Mamun Ahmed, Chairman, University Grants Commission, Bangladesh
- 11:30: Case study showcase: making the most of ACU membership - Istiak Ibne Rouf, Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University, currently part of the ACU Sustainable Urbanisation Expert Group, and Nafia Sultana Nishi, PhD scholar at University of Technology Sydney, QECS scholar from University of Dhaka
- 11:50: Q&A and tea/coffee break
- 12:00: Open roundtable discussions:
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- HE challenges and opportunities in Bangladesh
- International collaboration and equitable partnership
- Sustainable practices, knowledge sharing and research environment
- 12:30: Closing remarks, followed by networking lunch
Campus Tour: A 45‑minute guided tour of BRAC University’s award‑winning green campus will be offered following the event.
This event is invitation only.
Hosted in collaboration with BRAC University
