DHAKA: The Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh has donated computers to the Department of Urdu at the University of Dhaka and inaugurated a new computer laboratory aimed at improving students’ access to digital learning facilities and academic resources.
The initiative is part of Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen educational and cultural cooperation with Bangladesh, with a focus on expanding collaboration in higher education, research, faculty and student exchanges, and institutional partnerships.
The newly established computer lab and renovated classrooms were inaugurated during a visit by Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider and University of Dhaka Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A. B. M. Obaidul Islam to the Department of Urdu.
The development followed a meeting between the Pakistan High Commissioner and the Vice-Chancellor at the university, where both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the University of Dhaka and higher education institutions in Pakistan.
During the meeting, officials expressed interest in promoting joint research projects, faculty and student exchange programmes, semester exchange opportunities, joint degree programmes and short-term academic training initiatives.
The discussions were attended by Dean of the Faculty of Arts Professor Dr Md Abul Kalam Sarker, Chairman of the Department of Urdu Associate Professor Md Golam Mawla, Professor Dr Muhammad Golam Rabbani of the Department of Urdu, and Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner Mohammad Wasif.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A. B. M. Obaidul Islam highlighted the historic significance of the Department of Urdu, which was established on July 1, 1921 and remains one of the university’s oldest academic departments.
He said the department had made important contributions for more than a century to the promotion and study of language, literature and culture, and currently offers undergraduate, postgraduate, MPhil and PhD programmes.
The Vice-Chancellor thanked the Pakistan High Commission for supporting the development of the department and expressed hope that such cooperation would continue in the future.
He said greater academic collaboration and exchange programmes between Bangladesh and Pakistan would help further strengthen the historical, cultural and educational ties between the two countries.
Addressing the ceremony as the chief guest, Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider said the establishment of the computer laboratory and renovation of academic facilities represented more than an infrastructure upgrade, describing it as a contribution towards improving educational opportunities and strengthening people-to-people connections.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting academic partnerships and knowledge-sharing initiatives between institutions of higher learning in both countries.
