Lessons can be from the past for the future
By Md. Asraful Alam |
chinawatch.cn |
Updated: 2019-07-04 18:35
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, China and Bangladesh have been good neighbors, friends and partners based on equality, mutual respect and mutual trust. Despite the different political, social and sociocultural systems, diplomatic relations between the two countries are excellent. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who paid a state visit to Bangladesh on Oct 14 to 15, 2016 bestowed the gift of a cornucopia of investment proposals amounting to $24.5 billion. To review the progress of the 2016 visit of President Xi to Bangladesh, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay an official visit to China from July 3 to 5, 2019, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, attending the 13th Summer Davos Forum in Dalian before heading to Beijing.
Nowadays, Bangladesh can look east and see a strong supporting hand stretching toward it, and Bangladesh wants to establish all-around connections with China. For example, our land and sea infrastructure require improvement and reinforcement. Thus, building a deep seaport in Chittagong is necessary. China also proposed this project a few years ago. Moreover, discussions to build roads and rail links between Chittagong and Kunming through Myanmar have been completed. Through this initiative, the ancient Southern Silk Road will be revived, and extensive opportunities will be created. But as a participant in China's Belt and Road Initiative, Bangladesh can benefit in many ways from China's strong position.
Recently, the ranking of Asian universities for 2019 was released. The list identified the top 200 Asian universities. Unfortunately, Bangladeshi universities did not rank highly. Therefore, Bangladesh should develop its higher education system without further delay. In the era of globalization, the scope of education, trade and commerce is expanding from the national level to the international level at a fast pace. The current trend in the world as well as Bangladesh entails that a person often studies in a country and conducts business or works in another. Hence, our higher education system should be revamped to meet the demands for talent at both the national and international levels. Therefore, universities that specialize in science and the applied sciences must provide career-friendly and technical education according to actual needs. I believe that this need is the rationale for why universities should corroborate with the stakeholders of society. Universities must follow social and economic trends. To address this concern, curricula and educators' skills should be updated and to achieve it, international accessibility in the education sector is necessary. In this case, China can be our best friend.
China's education system is advanced and many of its universities have excellent international reputations. In addition, China is unique in terms of its work-oriented education. The Belt and Road projects offer many opportunities for research and training. Bangladesh needs to seize these opportunities. The University Grant Commission of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu fellowship or any other organization can be integrated with Chinese organizations such as the National Science Foundation of China or China Scholarship Council to foster the education quality of the country. Dialogues on education and research-oriented projects may commence during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Apart from the mega projects, the education and research exchange format should be taken seriously. If we are to work closely with China to improve higher education or the quality of university education, then we need a long-term plan. Now is the time to move forward. Bangladeshi teachers and researchers in China are also looking for opportunities to work for their own country under joint projects for the betterment of both countries.
We need to remember that money is not the core of these objectives. However, financial problems can be solved with proper funding. Learning about and from different countries and peoples was one of the hallmarks of the ancient Silk Road routes. Let us revive that spirit and move forward for the benefit of both countries.
The author is a Bangladeshi-born researcher and associate professor in Zhengzhou University.
The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, China and Bangladesh have been good neighbors, friends and partners based on equality, mutual respect and mutual trust. Despite the different political, social and sociocultural systems, diplomatic relations between the two countries are excellent. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who paid a state visit to Bangladesh on Oct 14 to 15, 2016 bestowed the gift of a cornucopia of investment proposals amounting to $24.5 billion. To review the progress of the 2016 visit of President Xi to Bangladesh, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay an official visit to China from July 3 to 5, 2019, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, attending the 13th Summer Davos Forum in Dalian before heading to Beijing.
Nowadays, Bangladesh can look east and see a strong supporting hand stretching toward it, and Bangladesh wants to establish all-around connections with China. For example, our land and sea infrastructure require improvement and reinforcement. Thus, building a deep seaport in Chittagong is necessary. China also proposed this project a few years ago. Moreover, discussions to build roads and rail links between Chittagong and Kunming through Myanmar have been completed. Through this initiative, the ancient Southern Silk Road will be revived, and extensive opportunities will be created. But as a participant in China's Belt and Road Initiative, Bangladesh can benefit in many ways from China's strong position.
Recently, the ranking of Asian universities for 2019 was released. The list identified the top 200 Asian universities. Unfortunately, Bangladeshi universities did not rank highly. Therefore, Bangladesh should develop its higher education system without further delay. In the era of globalization, the scope of education, trade and commerce is expanding from the national level to the international level at a fast pace. The current trend in the world as well as Bangladesh entails that a person often studies in a country and conducts business or works in another. Hence, our higher education system should be revamped to meet the demands for talent at both the national and international levels. Therefore, universities that specialize in science and the applied sciences must provide career-friendly and technical education according to actual needs. I believe that this need is the rationale for why universities should corroborate with the stakeholders of society. Universities must follow social and economic trends. To address this concern, curricula and educators' skills should be updated and to achieve it, international accessibility in the education sector is necessary. In this case, China can be our best friend.
China's education system is advanced and many of its universities have excellent international reputations. In addition, China is unique in terms of its work-oriented education. The Belt and Road projects offer many opportunities for research and training. Bangladesh needs to seize these opportunities. The University Grant Commission of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu fellowship or any other organization can be integrated with Chinese organizations such as the National Science Foundation of China or China Scholarship Council to foster the education quality of the country. Dialogues on education and research-oriented projects may commence during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Apart from the mega projects, the education and research exchange format should be taken seriously. If we are to work closely with China to improve higher education or the quality of university education, then we need a long-term plan. Now is the time to move forward. Bangladeshi teachers and researchers in China are also looking for opportunities to work for their own country under joint projects for the betterment of both countries.
We need to remember that money is not the core of these objectives. However, financial problems can be solved with proper funding. Learning about and from different countries and peoples was one of the hallmarks of the ancient Silk Road routes. Let us revive that spirit and move forward for the benefit of both countries.
The author is a Bangladeshi-born researcher and associate professor in Zhengzhou University.
The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
