ShabipraBi and Kubi Vice-Chancellors Unable to Participate in Higher Education Program in China Due to Lack of Government Clearance

The participation of Professor Dr. A. M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), and Professor Haider Ali, Vice-Chancellor of Comilla University (CU), in a higher education program in China has become uncertain. This is due to their failure to obtain the necessary Government Order (GO) or clearance. SUST authorities confirmed the matter today, Saturday (July 5), at 11 AM.

The 20-member Bangladeshi delegation, led by Professor Dr. S. M. A. Fayez, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), is set to participate in this program. The delegation comprises Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Vice Chancellors, Treasurers from various Bangladeshi universities, and Joint Secretaries from the Ministry of Education. They are scheduled to visit five universities in China's Kunming, Wuhan, and Ganzhou provinces from July 6 to 11, where signing of agreements is also possible. Additionally, multiple meetings with senior officials from the Chinese government's education department are planned.

The delegates applied for government clearance to travel to China last June. While clearances for all other team members have been approved in the past few days, the GOs for the VCs of SUST and CU have not yet been issued, creating uncertainty about their participation.

Regarding this, Comilla University VC Professor Dr. Haider Ali stated that he applied on June 25 but his clearance has not yet been approved. SUST VC Professor A. M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury also mentioned that he applied on June 23 but has not yet received the GO letter. He said, "We are waiting. If we get government approval, we will go."

When asked about the matter, Nurun Akter, Additional Secretary (University) of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, stated, "We prepared the summary last Thursday. Approval from the Chancellor has not yet arrived. So, we cannot grant approval."

This situation could hinder the two VCs' participation in an international higher education program and potentially disrupt significant academic cooperation opportunities for both universities.