Brac University School of Education associate professor Sabreena Ahmed was awarded a grant of USD 4000 by the American Institute of Bangladesh Studies (AIBS), USA. The grant was awarded under the category “Professional Development for Bangladeshi Scholars” to support her academic visit to the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK), USA.
From April 26 to April 30, 2025, Dr. Ahmed collaborated with Dr. Fatima T. Zahra assistant professor of Evaluation, Statistics and Methodology in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at UTK. Dr. Zahra is the Founder and Principal Investigator of the Artificial Intelligence, Race and Evaluation (AIRE) Lab at University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
During her visit, Dr. Ahmed and Dr. Zahra worked together on the draft of a joint research project titled “Readiness of Teachers and Students for Using Generative AI (GENAI) in Bangladeshi Government and Private Universities.” The collaboration focused on preparing the project for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and outlining the framework for data collection.
In addition to research development, the visit also included discussions on potential future collaborations between the AIRE Lab and Brac University.
Office of External Affairs (OEA) at North South University (NSU) successfully hosted an engaging session with York University, Canada
Office of External Affairs (OEA) at North South University (NSU) successfully hosted an engaging and insightful session titled “Understanding Our Economic World: Business, Society, and Your Life at York University” in collaboration with York University, Canada.
Held at the SBE Conference Room at NSU, the event aimed to foster global academic cooperation and enhance students’ learning experiences through interdisciplinary dialogue and research.
This session was led by Dr. John Justin McMurtry, Professor and Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies at York University. Dr. McMurtry offered thought-provoking perspectives on the intricate relationship between business, society, and global economic trends. He underscored the importance of international academic partnerships in promoting transdisciplinary collaboration and highlighted York University’s efforts to translate academic knowledge
Interactive nature of the session created a vibrant platform for intellectual exchange among students and invited guests. Participants engaged in enriching discussions, gaining deeper insights into global economic interdependencies and their implications on individual lives. Dr. McMurtry left students with a powerful message: “If you can do something that others can’t, you can get the most benefit out of it.”
Prior to the session, Dr. McMurtry, accompanied by Ms. Shuchita F. Husain, Regional Recruitment Manager—South and Southeast Asia at York University, met with NSU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (In-charge), along with deans and key academic and administrative leaders. These meetings focused on exploring avenues for future collaboration, including faculty and student exchange programs and joint academic initiatives, further strengthening ties between NSU and York University.
This event exemplified NSU’s ongoing commitment to building international partnerships and broadening students’ global perspectives.
UIU Becomes Bangladesh’s First Regional Hub for Harvard Health Systems Innovation Lab
United International University (UIU) has been recognized as the first Regional Hub in Bangladesh for the Harvard Health Systems Innovation Hackathon 2025, an annual event aimed at developing AI-powered solutions for superior health systems. The hackathon is held annually in collaboration with the Health Systems Innovation Lab (HSIL) of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The competition, which has established over 20 regional hubs worldwide, focuses on the use of artificial intelligence to build high-value health systems.
Main theme of the 2025 hackathon is the use of artificial intelligence to build high-value health systems. The initiative has established more than 20 regional hubs around the world. Notable hubs this year include Harvard University (USA), University of Sydney (Australia), King’s College London (UK), Koc University (Turkey), Tsinghua University (China), NTU (Singapore), and UIU from Bangladesh.
Two-day competition, scheduled for April 11-12, will see participants form multidisciplinary teams to invent AI-powered healthcare solutions. The winning teams from each regional hub will participate in the global evaluation phase, with the most promising innovations included in the HSIL Venture Incubation Program.
Hackathon is open to everyone, including university students, researchers, young professionals, and emerging startups, and participants are expected to come from diverse fields such as healthcare, public health, medicine, engineering, computer science, and business. Teams of three to five members will be encouraged to develop promising new ideas rather than complete solutions.
Hackathon aims to develop promising new ideas within 48 hours, with ideas potentially including electronic health record analysis, improved diagnosis and monitoring, health support chatbots, health literacy, preventive health, artificial intelligence in pediatrics and other contemporary health innovation projects.
U.S. Embassy Dhaka Announces 2026-2027 Fulbright Foreign Student Program Application
U.S. Embassy in Dhaka is launching the 2026-2027 Fulbright Foreign Student Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The program offers scholarships for young professionals to pursue a master’s degree in the United States. The program is open to junior faculty members working at higher education institutions in Bangladesh and junior to mid-level employees at research organizations, think tanks, and NGOs.
Program focuses on American studies, energy, security, migration, business, economics, international relations, public administration, public policy, education, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Eligibility requirements include having a four-year bachelor’s degree with an outstanding academic record from an accredited public or private university in Bangladesh, not having a degree from a U.S. college/university or enrolled in a current degree program in the United States, not holding a master’s degree from any foreign country, having at least two years of full-time professional experience relevant to the proposed field of study, being fluent in English with a minimum iBT TOEFL score of 90 / IELTS 7.0, and being a Bangladeshi citizen residing in Bangladesh at the time of application.
To apply, applicants must submit a completed online application, academic transcripts and certificates from each post-secondary institution attended, three recommendation letters, an academic records information form, a valid TOEFL/IELTS score, and a GRE or GMAT score. Applications are due on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. BST.
For TOEFL, IELTS, GRE and GMAT online and offline preparation practice, you can contact us at Bright Admission Coaching.
Japanese universities with a strong international focus have climbed the national rankings this year, as outbound student exchanges continue to recover at varying rates following the pandemic.
Tohoku University retains its position as Japan’s top institution in the Times Higher Education Japan University Rankings 2025. Tokyo Institute of Technology has moved up two places to second, while The University of Tokyo has dropped to third.
Akita International University returns to the top 10 for the first time since 2020, alongside other internationally oriented universities that have improved their standings, such as Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Kanda University of International Studies, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, St. Luke’s International University and Miyazaki International University.
However, not all globally focused institutions saw gains—Kyoto University of Foreign Studies fell 18 spots to 97th place and International Christian University slipped from 10th to 11th.
Japan University Rankings 2025: Top 10
Rank
Previous Year Rank
Institution
1
1
Tohoku University
2
4
Tokyo Institute of Technology
3
2
The University of Tokyo
4
5
Kyoto University
5
6
Kyushu University
6
3
The University of Osaka
7
8
Nagoya University
8
7
Hokkaido University
9
9
University of Tsukuba
10
15
Akita International University
Japan’s Push for Internationalization
This year’s data paints a complex picture of internationalization in Japanese higher education, as policymakers work to strengthen the country’s global presence through its universities.
A key component of this effort is encouraging more Japanese students to study abroad—whether for full degree programs or short-term exchanges. In 2023, the government set an ambitious target: sending 500,000 students abroad annually by 2033.
Given that only 220,000 Japanese students went abroad in 2019, this goal presents a significant challenge.
“The target is very ambitious,” said Tatsu Hoshino, executive secretary of the Japan Association of Overseas Studies (JAOS).
However, the reasoning behind it is clear.
“Japan’s population is shrinking, and with the globalization of business, Japan’s international competitiveness is on the decline,” Hoshino explained. By sending more students overseas, policymakers hope to strengthen Japan’s economic ties, improve national development, and foster a more outward-looking society.
Recovery from the Pandemic
Outbound student numbers plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and recovery has been uneven across institutions.
Universities with a history of high student mobility have rebounded the fastest. Among the 27 universities where over 10% of students previously studied abroad, outbound mobility has returned to 90% of pre-pandemic levels.
Institutions that had less than 3% of students studying abroad before COVID have recovered to 86%.
Universities in the middle range have seen the slowest recovery.
But simply returning to pre-pandemic numbers won’t be enough to reach the government’s ambitious goal.
Barriers and Opportunities
To accelerate outbound student numbers, Tokyo’s local government is preparing grants to support study abroad. However, Hoshino argues that financial aid alone won’t be enough—employers also need to place greater value on international experience to incentivize students to pursue it.
Despite these challenges, Hoshino remains optimistic.
With Japan’s domestic market shrinking, businesses are expanding internationally, making graduates with global experience more desirable.
“Japan is an island nation with a considerable economic scale, and until now, people could lead fulfilling lives within the country,” Hoshino said.
However, demographic shifts and pandemic-driven changes have altered this reality.
“Japan’s young people are starting to realize that it’s no longer possible to live without connections to the outside world.”
Department of Social Relations at East West University in collaboration with the East West University Health and Well-Being Club (EHWC) hosted a seminar titled “Cervical Cancer Awareness” in the S. M. Nousher Ali Lecture Gallery
The Department of Social Relations at East West University (EWU) in collaboration with the East West University Health and Well-Being Club (EHWC) held a seminar on cervical cancer awareness on 27 February. The seminar, chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Mobarak Hossain Khan, featured external speakers Dr. Sanjida Ahmed Soma and Dr. Marzia Zaman Sultana. The seminar aimed to raise awareness among young females of reproductive age, who are a vulnerable group for cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer has become a major public health problem in Bangladesh, with an increasing number of patients, related deaths, and case fatality rates. In 2022, over 660,000 women were estimated to have been diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide, and about 350,000 women died from the disease. Bangladesh has a population of 64.0 million women aged 15 and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer.
Dr. Sanjida highlighted the World Health Organization’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, launched in November 2020, with the goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2100. To achieve this, all countries must reach and maintain an incidence rate of fewer than 4 new cases of cervical cancer per 100,000 women per year. Three key pillars and their corresponding targets are vaccination, screening, and treatment.
The seminar ended with a vote of thanks from the program chair, emphasizing the importance of public awareness of cervical cancer and its vaccination, especially for young adults. Female students were eager to learn and asked many questions about the topic. The seminar was a valuable opportunity for the EWU Health and Well-Being Club to raise awareness and accelerate the pace of elimination of cervical cancer.
A Former Student of UAP Achievement at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, USA
Md. Saqline Mostaq a former student of the Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific (UAP) and a current Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Cancer Biology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, USA presented groundbreaking research at Research Day 2025, focusing on cancer drug resistance and p53 mutations. His findings include targeting Glucosylceramide Synthase, inhibiting GCS and identifying novel RNA modifications.
On February 28, 2025, Saqline presented his groundbreaking research at Research Day 2025, hosted by the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), Monroe. His poster, titled “Inhibition of Glucosylceramide Synthase Reactivates p53-Suppressive Effects on Cancer Stem Cells through m6A Modification at p53 R273 Mutant Codon,” earned him the 2nd Runner-Up award in the Biomedical Research category, along with a certificate and research grant.
🔬 Research Highlights:
✅ Targeting Glucosylceramide Synthase (GCS) sensitizes p53 R273H-mutant cancer cells to chemotherapy. ✅ CRISPR-Cas9-mediated UGCG knockout (GCS inhibition) significantly reduces drug resistance, suppresses cancer stem cells, and decreases tumor growth. ✅ A groundbreaking connection between ceramide metabolism and m6A RNA modification was identified, uncovering a novel strategy to counteract drug resistance in p53-mutant cancers.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Yong-Yu Liu, Saqline is pioneering innovative solutions to overcome drug resistance in p53-mutant colon cancer, a major challenge in cancer treatment. His research holds immense promise for more effective therapies in the future.
AIUB admission schedule has been announced with the online application opening on March 13, 2025, and the deadline for submission and payment on April 29, 2025. Admission written examination will be held on May 8, 2025, with the final result expected on May 18, 2025. Viva examination will be held on May 14-15, 2025, with a specific schedule to be published. Admission and registration will be held on May 19-21, 2025, except for government holidays. An orientation schedule will be published later.
Bright Admission Coaching offers preparation programs for various private university admission tests, including those for the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB). To enroll in our AIUB Summer Admission Test preparation course, call us today.
IUB Faculty Members Awarded International Grant for Climate Adaptation Research
Three faculty members from Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) have secured an international research grant exceeding USD 36,780 (over BDT 44 lakh) under the Resilience and Adaptation Mainstreaming Program (RAMP) by SOAS University of London, UK. This interdisciplinary project investigates the role of digital technologies in enhancing climate adaptation for vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.
Titled “Leveraging ‘Climate Technologies’ for Transformative Adaptive Capacity of Vulnerable Communities in Bangladesh,” the project is led by Dr. Md. Khaled Saifullah, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Economics. The research team also includes Dr. Md. Taslim Uddin, Assistant Professor in the Department of Finance, and Md. Ekhtekharul Islam, Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Science and Management.
The study examines how digital platforms—such as social media, crowdsourcing, and financial technologies—can bolster climate resilience. Key areas of focus include mobile financial services, digital cash management, microfinance, crop insurance, e-banking, and peer-to-peer sharing. By analyzing the effectiveness of these technologies, the research seeks to address critical knowledge gaps and strengthen adaptive capacity in climate-vulnerable regions of the developing world.
Hosted at the Department of Economics within the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, the research will benefit from the expertise of Dr. Md. Mizan R. Khan, Technical Lead of the Least Developed Countries Universities Consortium on Climate Change (LUCCC), who serves as a co-investigator. This initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between IUB and SOAS University of London in January 2025, facilitating collaborative efforts in climate resilience research.
This grant underscores IUB’s commitment to advancing climate change adaptation through academic research and technological innovation.
Murdoch University and Southeast University have signed a MoU
Murdoch University, Australia, and Southeast University, Bangladesh have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance academic collaboration and foster global engagement.
The agreement was signed virtually on 20 March 2025 by Professor Simon McKirdy deputy vice chancellor of Global Engagement at Murdoch University and Prof. Dr. M. Mofazzal Hossain vice chancellor of Southeast University.
This partnership aims to promote research, teaching, curriculum development, student and faculty exchange programs, and cooperative academic activities, reinforcing both institutions’ commitment to excellence in higher education. The MoU establishes a framework for future collaboration in research training, faculty development and joint academic projects.
Marking the beginning of a long-term partnership, this agreement will create new pathways for academic innovation and cross-cultural exchange, benefiting students, faculty and researchers from both universities.
