B Mirror Report : Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today (13 January) officially opened a three-day South Asian regional conference on higher education at a city hotel.

Titled “South Asian Regional Conference on State of Higher Education and Future Pathway (SARCHE 2026),” the event has been organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, according to UGC sources.

Education Adviser Professor Dr. CR Abrar addressed the inaugural ceremony as the special guest, while UGC Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Faiz presided over the program. Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Rehana Perven and World Bank Division Director Jean Pesme attended as guests of honor. UGC Member Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan delivered the welcome address.

Officials said the opening ceremony was attended by advisers of the interim government, vice-chancellors of public and private universities, academicians, researchers, and foreign diplomats.

According to UGC officials, the conference is being held under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project, funded jointly by the government of Bangladesh and the World Bank.

The three-day event will conclude on 15 January and features participation from 30 international delegates, including representatives from the United Kingdom, the Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, along with officials from the World Bank. In addition, representatives from UGCs and higher education commissions of SAARC member countries, university vice-chancellors, scholars, and researchers are taking part.

The UGC stated that the conference aims to enhance the quality of higher education in Bangladesh and strengthen collaborative networks among SAARC nations.

A total of eight sessions are scheduled over the three days. On the first day, sessions focused on “The Current State of Higher Education in South Asia: Governance, Quality, and Inclusion” and “Research, Innovation, Sustainability, and Social Engagement.”

The second day will include discussions on “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: Context of the HEAT Project.”

On the final day, gender issues in higher education will be discussed, and the conference will conclude with the adoption of the Dhaka Higher Education Declaration, officials confirmed.

This gathering, UGC sources said, provides a platform for policymakers, academics, and international partners to exchange insights and develop strategies to advance higher education across South Asia.