Bangladesh’s Dhaka University lifts ban on Pakistani students

Bangladesh’s Dhaka University (DU) has officially lifted its ban on giving admissions to Pakistani students.

A DU’s syndicate meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmad Khan approved the decision. It has been confirmed by Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Admin) Prof Sayma Haque Bidisha to a Pakistan newspaper.

After the development,  Pakistani students will now be eligible to get admissions to Dhaka University.On the other hand, Bangladeshi students will be encouraged to pursue higher education opportunities in Pakistan.

University officials hoped that the move will cement collaboration in education, culture, and other areas of mutual interest.

Prof Bidisha said that while ties with Pakistan had been severed in the past, the Dhaka University recognised its responsibility as an academic institution to facilitate opportunities for students.

She said that at one point, relations with Pakistan were cut, but Dhaka University is an academic institution. Many of our students need to visit Pakistan for scholarships or academic conference.

She added that we resolved this issue through discussion to restore normal relations.

The decision had been taken purely from an academic perspective and did not involve any discussions on sensitive political matters.

“This is about academic cooperation, not political dialogue,” Bidisha added.