(BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today inaugurated a three-day South Asian regional conference on higher education at a hotel here.

The Chief Adviser inaugurated the conference titled “South Asian Regional Conference on State of Higher Education and Future Pathway (SARCHE 2026)” organized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh this morning.

Education Adviser Professor Dr CR Abrar addressed the inaugural ceremony as the special guest with UGC Chairman Professor Dr SMA Faiz in the chair.

Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Rehana Perven and World Bank Division Director Jean Pesme spoke at the function as guests of honor while UGC Member Professor Dr Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan delivered the welcome address.

Advisers of the interim government, vice-chancellors of different public and private universities, scholars, researchers and diplomats were present at the opening ceremony.

According to the UGC officials, the conference is being organised under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project. The project is being implemented by the UGC of Bangladesh with funding from the government of Bangladesh and the World Bank.

A total of 30 international representatives, including delegates from the United Kingdom, the Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as well as representatives from the World Bank are participating in the event, which will end on January 15.

Besides, representatives of UGCs and higher education commissions from SAARC member countries, vice-chancellors of universities from different countries, academicians and researchers are taking part in the conference.

According to the UGC, the conference has been organized aimed at elevating higher education in Bangladesh to a new height and further strengthen the UGC network among SAARC countries.

A total of eight sessions will be held over the three-day conference. On the first day (today), two sessions will focus on “The Current State of Higher Education in South Asia: Governance, Quality and Inclusion” and “Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Social Engagement”.

The second day events will include sessions on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration, Digital Transformation and Smart Learning Ecosystems”, “Increasing Employment for Graduates and Industry–Academia collaboration”, “Future Pathways of Higher Education: Cooperation, Solidarity and Networking, “Stakeholder Dialogue on Higher Education Transformation: Voices of Civil Society”, and “Dialogue with Vice-Chancellors: the Context of the HEAT Project”.

On the final day, discussions on gender issues in higher education will be held while the conference will end following the adoption of the ‘Dhaka Higher Education Declaration’.