In a significant move to strengthen academic ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Dhaka University (DU) has officially lifted its ban on admitting Pakistani students.
The decision was made following a syndicate meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmad Khan on November 13 and was confirmed by Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Admin) Professor Sayma Haque Bidisha, as reported by The News.
Under the newly updated policy, Pakistani students will once again be able to apply for enrollment at Dhaka University. Similarly, Bangladeshi students will be encouraged to pursue higher education opportunities in Pakistan. University officials believe this step will promote academic collaboration, cultural exchange, and cooperation in various fields of mutual interest.
Professor Bidisha explained that while ties with Pakistan had been severed in the past, the university recognized its role as an academic institution responsible for providing opportunities to students. “At one point, ties with Pakistan were cut, but Dhaka University is an academic institution. Many of our students need to visit Pakistan for scholarships or academic conferences,” she said.
She emphasized that this decision was based solely on academic interests and did not involve political considerations. “This is about academic cooperation, not political dialogue,” she added.
The restriction had been in place since December 2015, when an emergency syndicate meeting led by then-Vice-Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique imposed the ban.
