State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam highlighted opportunities to deepen Bangladesh-US cooperation in education, science, research and technology during talks with Arizona State University representatives in California.
A Bangladesh delegation led by Prime Minister’s Adviser for Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir met the ASU representatives at the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley on September 27, according to a foreign ministry press release.
The discussions focused on linking engineering education, research, workforce development, industry and investment to build a robust semiconductor ecosystem in Bangladesh.
Potential areas of cooperation identified during the meeting included microelectronics curricula, faculty training, applied research, and partnerships between universities and industry.
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Boby Hajjaj underscored the importance of STEM education and teacher development, while Prime Minister’s Adviser Rehan Asif Asad called for a semiconductor roadmap connecting research and education with investment and commercial use.
Titumir stressed sustainable planning and stronger links between education and industry to transform technology partnerships into skilled jobs, enhanced research capacity, and increased investment.
The two sides also explored cooperation with ASU’s University Design Institute concerning higher education reform and discussed developing a memorandum of understanding covering semiconductor education, workforce and faculty development, research, and institutional cooperation.
Participants in the meeting included Prime Minister’s Protocol Officer-2 Kamrul Islam, Deputy Press Secretary-1 Md Jahidul Islam, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Tareq Md Ariful Islam, and Consul General in Los Angeles Kazi Muhammad Jabed Iqbal.
Bangladesh’s Consulate General in Los Angeles will facilitate follow-up discussions to identify specific projects and partner institutions, the release concluded.
Why it matters
The engagement establishes key institutional partnerships with Arizona State University to advance semiconductor manufacturing, technical education, and workforce development in Bangladesh.