It's great to hear that more Bangladeshi students are seeking out opportunities to pursue higher education abroad. It's understandable that factors like limited employment opportunities and political uncertainties can make it difficult to find quality education at home.

According to recent data provided by UNESCO, the number of Bangladeshis enrolling higher education abroad has been steadily increasing. In 2021, the figure stood at 49,151, a significant rise from 33,139 in 2016. The upward trend continues as we look back further, with 22,725 students in 2011 and 15,700 in 2007 choosing to study abroad.

According to Dil Afroza Begum, a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC), students nowadays tend to favour foreign universities due to concerns regarding the quality of education provided by higher education institutions in Bangladesh. This statement was shared with University World News recently.

She said that as the number of universities in Bangladesh continues to increase, there is a growing concern about the emphasis placed on constructing university buildings rather than addressing crucial factors that contribute to maintaining quality education. These factors include ensuring the availability of qualified teachers, establishing well-equipped research facilities, modernising laboratories, and addressing other essential aspects.

As per Abdul Mannan, former chair of the UGC, there is a significant concern regarding the quality of higher education. In an interview with University World News, he emphasised that education in Bangladesh is primarily focused on exams and degrees rather than knowledge itself. He stated that the focus has been on quantity rather than quality, noting that a university encompasses more than just physical infrastructure.

Language and class:

Mannan highlighted that foreign universities attract international students, including those from Bangladesh, by offering numerous scholarships and other facilities. He also pointed out that the financial capacity of Bangladeshi students has increased, resulting in a growing number of students choosing to study abroad.

In the past, the trend of Bangladeshis studying abroad primarily consisted of students from affluent backgrounds who had attended English-medium secondary schools, giving them an advantage in terms of language proficiency. However, both Mannan and Begum noted that now students from upper-middle-class and middle-class backgrounds are also pursuing education abroad.

It was mentioned that students from English-medium schools in Bangladesh often opt for undergraduate programs abroad, while mainstream Bengali-medium students usually choose postgraduate courses overseas.

Begum explained that although English-medium education has gained popularity in Bangladesh, students from English-medium secondary schools face challenges with admission tests at public universities, which mainly follow the country's mainstream Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) syllabus.

Brain drain

Many guardians believe it is a prudent decision to send their children abroad for them to establish a future there. This is primarily driven by concerns over the lack of employment opportunities and the perceived uncertainties in Bangladesh. She further highlighted allegations of nepotism in job placements within the country, emphasising the limited occurrence of fair selection processes.

As expected, the issue of brain drain has been a persistent problem for Bangladesh, as a majority of students who pursue their studies abroad choose not to return to the country after completion.

Mannan suggested that in order to address the brain drain issue and encourage students to return to Bangladesh, it is crucial to establish a conducive academic environment within higher education institutions.

Source: University World News