Studying Abroad

Every year in Bangladesh, a fresh batch of students graduate from college after passing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or equivalent examinations. The majority of them plan to go for higher education to improve their job prospects and get ahead in life. Though there are many public and private universities and polytechnics or professional institutes in our country, many opt to go abroad for further studies, and experience new cultures and countries.     

This week, Y&I spoke with some foreign missions, cultural centres and student counselling centres in Dhaka to find out about the number of Bangladeshi students interested to study in foreign countries, the type of facilities available and admission requirements.

The United States embassy informed Y&I via email that there are nearly 8,000 Bangladeshi students studying in the US this year. At the American Center in Dhaka, they have two primary avenues to support perspective students_ exchange programmes and EducationUSA. The centre offers dozens of fully funded exchange programmes, ranging from three-week intensive learning opportunities to two-year graduate courses. While they have exchanges for everyone, from high school students to academics and professionals, several of their programmes are geared specifically for undergraduate and graduate students. Their Community College Initiative (CCI) provides undergraduate students from around the world the opportunity to study at a community college for one year. To date, 40 Bangladeshi students have participated in this programme, including eight students this year.

For students interested in studying at a US university for one semester, the Global UGrad exchange programme is a perfect fit. So far, 62 Bangladeshi students have studied in the US through this scheme. For those interested in research, teaching, or even getting a graduate degree in the US, the American Center offers Fulbright scholarships. Each year, 15 to 8 Bangladeshis are awarded the prestigious scholarship.

“The American Center at the US Embassy provides countless opportunities for qualified Bangladeshi students to study at US colleges and universities. A US education is invaluable and prepares students to think critically, solve difficult problems, and it leads to better job opportunities. Americans also benefit because Bangladeshi students act as cultural ambassadors and contribute to diverse and vibrant campus communities,” said Kelly Ryan, cultural affairs officer at the US Embassy in Dhaka.

EducationUSA is also a great resource that provides free advice to students. There are three EducationUSA centres in Bangladesh _ the American Center at Baridhara, the Edward M Kennedy Center at Dhanmondi and the American Corner in Chittagong.  EducationUSA advisors help students learn about the university application process, how to choose the right institution, what makes a good applicant, financial aid and scholarships, and much more. More information about studying in the USA can be found at: https://bd.usembassy.gov/education-culture.

The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka informed this correspondent that the Chinese Government Scholarship commission provides about 160 places to Bangladeshi students who want study in China. Scholarships are given for undergraduate, master’s and doctorate degrees and some other short-term training programmes. The embassy formally sends the scholarship notice to our education and foreign ministries around March every year. The education ministry takes charge of all enrollments, and it makes an announcement on the internet. Students need to provide all their information and certificates to ministry according to their requirements.

The Confucius Institute, at Dhaka University and North South University, provide around 20 scholarships to students who want to study Chinese language and culture in China. Besides, this year the Chinese Embassy and the Ministry of Education organised a higher vocational school recruitment programme at the Bangladesh Vocational Technical School and Institute. Some 40 teachers from 11 different vocational schools or institutes in China came to Bangladesh to offer vocational scholarships, and enrolled around 430 students.

The British Council informed Y&I via email that as per HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) data of 2015-16, a total of 3,310 students from Bangladesh enrolled at different educational institutions in the United Kingdom. This data includes the number of students who have signed on for distance learning programmes as well. Each course has different requirements _ usually a mix of qualifications, subject or exam grades. Entry requirements are set by the course providers as a guideline to the recommended academic ability one will need. To know more about UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) undergraduate entry requirements, students can visit the website: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/ucas-undergraduate-entry-requirements

Barbara Wickham, director of British Council in Bangladesh, said: “Higher education is critical to the development of a nation. The UK offers thousands of courses leading to internationally recognised qualifications in fields such as law, accountancy, medicine, engineering, childcare, teaching, marketing and much more, to help young people get ahead in their careers. UK colleges and universities offer world-class education – the chance to indulge that passion for learning and gain qualifications that are respected by employers and academics worldwide. The teaching style in the UK helps develop attributes which are in high demand from employers _ attributes such as analytical thinking, creativity, innovation, teamwork and leadership. Therefore, we encourage Bangladeshi students to explore the options, and take those important first steps in the journey towards a quality education.”

The number of Bangladeshi students going to Germany for pursuing higher education increased from 450 in 2008-09 to 2,500 in 2015-16. Since there is no tuition fee for higher studies in Germany, studying there is getting more and more attractive.

“For pursuing higher education in Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD, or Deutsches Akademisches Austauschdienst) located at Goethe Institut, Dhaka provides detailed information about the requirements and procedures,” said Rumana Kabir, information and office manager at DAAD in Bangladesh.

“DAAD offers scholarships and funding for Bangladeshi graduates and doctoral students in various fields. DAAD also offers funding for Bangladeshi post doctorates, academicians and senior scientists. It also provides support for DAAD alumni,” Kabir added.

A good number of Bangladeshi students are also opting for France to pursue higher studies, especially master’s and PhD degrees. Supported by the French education platform in Bangladesh, named Campus France, and the French Embassy, our students are studying subjects from different disciplines, including business studies, humanities, engineering, international relations, political science, oceanography, physical science, fashion design and so on, said Kazi Ashraf Uddin, a French language teacher at Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD).

“Every year, around 150 students and scholars from Bangladesh go to France to pursue their higher studies and research. Campus France Bangladesh (CF), already a part of the French Embassy, facilitates the university searching and admission process through continuous counselling and seminars, both in Dhaka and Chittagong,” he said.

 “Students planning to go to France for higher studies meet their basic language requirement from the courses offered by AFD. Tuition fees in France are very nominal which amounts to 200, 300 and 400 Euros per year respectively for Bachelor, Master’s and doctorate degrees. Regarding funding options for higher studies, AFD and Campus France regularly give notification on different European and French scholarships, such as Erasmus, Eifel, Marie Curie etc. Graced by academic excellence, climatic convenience, and international exposure and partnership, France has become one of the global leaders in hosting scholars from around the globe,” Ashraf Uddin added.

Ikram-Ul- Sadi, trade and information officer at the Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka, told this correspondent: “Going to study in Malaysia is not that complicated. Many Bangladeshi students go to Malaysia every year. Any student can apply to universities they like and study there. Some students complete half of their credits in Malaysian universities and then go to other European countries. We verify their documents and give them visa. We want to encourage students to apply all by themselves, without any help from student counselling companies. Students can find more information at [email protected]”.

The Turkish Embassy in Dhaka informed Y&I that many students go for studying different subjects in Turkey. Turkey offers many scholarship opportunities for foreign students. Students can get all the information from the website: www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/en/english-home/  

Saidul Islam, public relations officer at the Iranian Cultural Centre in Dhaka, said: “I have come to know from some parents that at this moment, some 10 to 12 students are studying at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) and some other well-known medical universities.”  There are many students who are interested to study different subjects, like engineering, in Iran, he added.

According to the website http://en.isna.ir/, Iran’s International Cooperation Centre says 57,000 foreign students are studying at Iranian universities and each year, 10,000 students from 61 countries add to this number. Farajollah Talebi, vice-president of the Centre for International Cooperation of the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, informs that Iran annually awards scholarships to 3,000 foreign students in different subjects.

Many Bangladeshi students go to India for higher education. When contacted, the Indian High Commission said students can find more information from http://www.iccr.gov.in and www.hcidhaka.gov.in.

According to a report published in The Independent newspaper on July 22, Indian educational institutions offer a wide range of opportunities to Bangladeshi students to study there at affordable cost. Representatives of at least 30 of India’s leading universities, colleges and boarding schools recently attended an education fair in Dhaka to advise students on how to pursue studies in India.

Maruf Mollah, managing director of MalishaEdu, a student counselling centre, said: “There are many student counselling centres in Dhaka. As far as I know, apart from a trade licence from the government, the centres do not need any permission from the embassies concerned. Now, the most important thing is to choose the right university. Location, scholarship duration, accommodation are some of the most important things students should verify before going abroad.”

Studying Abroad

Every year in Bangladesh, a fresh batch of students graduate from college after passing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or equivalent examinations. The majority of them plan to go for higher education to improve their job prospects and get ahead in life. Though there are many public and private universities and polytechnics or professional institutes in our country, many opt to go abroad for further studies, and experience new cultures and countries. This week, YI spoke with some foreign missions, cultural centres and student counselling centres in Dhaka to find out about the number of Bangladeshi students interested to study in foreign countries, the type of facilities available and admission requirements. The United States embassy informed YI via email that there are nearly 8,000 Bangladeshi students studying in the US this year. At the American Center in Dhaka, they have two primary avenues to support perspective students_ exchange programmes and EducationUSA. The centre offers dozens of fully funded exchange programmes, ranging from three-week intensive learning opportunities to two-year graduate courses. While they have exchanges for everyone, from high school students to academics and professionals, several of their programmes are geared specifically for undergraduate and graduate students. Their Community College Initiative (CCI) provides undergraduate students from around the world the opportunity to study at a community college for one year. To date, 40 Bangladeshi students have participated in this programme, including eight students this year. For students interested in studying at a US university for one semester, the Global UGrad exchange programme is a perfect fit. So far, 62 Bangladeshi students have studied in the US through this scheme. For those interested in research, teaching, or even getting a graduate degree in the US, the American Center offers Fulbright scholarships. Each year, 15 to 8 Bangladeshis are awarded the prestigious scholarship. The American Center at the US Embassy provides countless opportunities for qualified Bangladeshi students to study at US colleges and universities. A US education is invaluable and prepares students to think critically, solve difficult problems, and it leads to better job opportunities. Americans also benefit because Bangladeshi students act as cultural ambassadors and contribute to diverse and vibrant campus communities, said Kelly Ryan, cultural affairs officer at the US Embassy in Dhaka. EducationUSA is also a great resource that provides free advice to students. There are three EducationUSA centres in Bangladesh _ the American Center at Baridhara, the Edward M Kennedy Center at Dhanmondi and the American Corner in Chittagong. EducationUSA advisors help students learn about the university application process, how to choose the right institution, what makes a good applicant, financial aid and scholarships, and much more. More information about studying in the USA can be found at: https://bd.usembassy.gov/education-culture. The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka informed this correspondent that the Chinese Government Scholarship commission provides about 160 places to Bangladeshi students who want study in China. Scholarships are given for undergraduate, masters and doctorate degrees and some other short-term training programmes. The embassy formally sends the scholarship notice to our education and foreign ministries around March every year. The education ministry takes charge of all enrollments, and it makes an announcement on the internet. Students need to provide all their information and certificates to ministry according to their requirements. The Confucius Institute, at Dhaka University and North South University, provide around 20 scholarships to students who want to study Chinese language and culture in China. Besides, this year the Chinese Embassy and the Ministry of Education organised a higher vocational school recruitment programme at the Bangladesh Vocational Technical School and Institute. Some 40 teachers from 11 different vocational schools or institutes in China came to Bangladesh to offer vocational scholarships, and enrolled around 430 students. The British Council informed YI via email that as per HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) data of 2015-16, a total of 3,310 students from Bangladesh enrolled at different educational institutions in the United Kingdom. This data includes the number of students who have signed on for distance learning programmes as well. Each course has different requirements _ usually a mix of qualifications, subject or exam grades. Entry requirements are set by the course providers as a guideline to the recommended academic ability one will need. To know more about UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) undergraduate entry requirements, students can visit the website: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/ucas-undergraduate-entry-requirements Barbara Wickham, director of British Council in Bangladesh, said: Higher education is critical to the development of a nation. The UK offers thousands of courses leading to internationally recognised qualifications in fields such as law, accountancy, medicine, engineering, childcare, teaching, marketing and much more, to help young people get ahead in their careers. UK colleges and universities offer world-class education the chance to indulge that passion for learning and gain qualifications that are respected by employers and academics worldwide. The teaching style in the UK helps develop attributes which are in high demand from employers _ attributes such as analytical thinking, creativity, innovation, teamwork and leadership. Therefore, we encourage Bangladeshi students to explore the options, and take those important first steps in the journey towards a quality education. The number of Bangladeshi students going to Germany for pursuing higher education increased from 450 in 2008-09 to 2,500 in 2015-16. Since there is no tuition fee for higher studies in Germany, studying there is getting more and more attractive. For pursuing higher education in Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD, or Deutsches Akademisches Austauschdienst) located at Goethe Institut, Dhaka provides detailed information about the requirements and procedures, said Rumana Kabir, information and office manager at DAAD in Bangladesh. DAAD offers scholarships and funding for Bangladeshi graduates and doctoral students in various fields. DAAD also offers funding for Bangladeshi post doctorates, academicians and senior scientists. It also provides support for DAAD alumni, Kabir added. A good number of Bangladeshi students are also opting for France to pursue higher studies, especially masters and PhD degrees. Supported by the French education platform in Bangladesh, named Campus France, and the French Embassy, our students are studying subjects from different disciplines, including business studies, humanities, engineering, international relations, political science, oceanography, physical science, fashion design and so on, said Kazi Ashraf Uddin, a French language teacher at Alliance Franaise de Dhaka (AFD). Every year, around 150 students and scholars from Bangladesh go to France to pursue their higher studies and research. Campus France Bangladesh (CF), already a part of the French Embassy, facilitates the university searching and admission process through continuous counselling and seminars, both in Dhaka and Chittagong, he said. Students planning to go to France for higher studies meet their basic language requirement from the courses offered by AFD. Tuition fees in France are very nominal which amounts to 200, 300 and 400 Euros per year respectively for Bachelor, Masters and doctorate degrees. Regarding funding options for higher studies, AFD and Campus France regularly give notification on different European and French scholarships, such as Erasmus, Eifel, Marie Curie etc. Graced by academic excellence, climatic convenience, and international exposure and partnership, France has become one of the global leaders in hosting scholars from around the globe, Ashraf Uddin added. Ikram-Ul- Sadi, trade and information officer at the Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka, told this correspondent: Going to study in Malaysia is not that complicated. Many Bangladeshi students go to Malaysia every year. Any student can apply to universities they like and study there. Some students complete half of their credits in Malaysian universities and then go to other European countries. We verify their documents and give them visa. We want to encourage students to apply all by themselves, without any help from student counselling companies. Students can find more information at [email protected]. The Turkish Embassy in Dhaka informed YI that many students go for studying different subjects in Turkey. Turkey offers many scholarship opportunities for foreign students. Students can get all the information from the website: www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/en/english-home/ Saidul Islam, public relations officer at the Iranian Cultural Centre in Dhaka, said: I have come to know from some parents that at this moment, some 10 to 12 students are studying at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) and some other well-known medical universities. There are many students who are interested to study different subjects, like engineering, in Iran, he added. According to the website http://en.isna.ir/, Irans International Cooperation Centre says 57,000 foreign students are studying at Iranian universities and each year, 10,000 students from 61 countries add to this number. Farajollah Talebi, vice-president of the Centre for International Cooperation of the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, informs that Iran annually awards scholarships to 3,000 foreign students in different subjects. Many Bangladeshi students go to India for higher education. When contacted, the Indian High Commission said students can find more information from http://www.iccr.gov.in and www.hcidhaka.gov.in. According to a report published in The Independent newspaper on July 22, Indian educational institutions offer a wide range of opportunities to Bangladeshi students to study there at affordable cost. Representatives of at least 30 of Indias leading universities, colleges and boarding schools recently attended an education fair in Dhaka to advise students on how to pursue studies in India. Maruf Mollah, managing director of MalishaEdu, a student counselling centre, said: There are many student counselling centres in Dhaka. As far as I know, apart from a trade licence from the government, the centres do not need any permission from the embassies concerned. Now, the most important thing is to choose the right university. Location, scholarship duration, accommodation are some of the most important things students should verify before going abroad.