What is the importance of having a global curriculum for Bangladeshi students in order to attain international competencies?
Bangladesh is moving forward to a future that is becoming increasingly global. The country’s economy is growing rapidly, showcasing the great potential for our future. Due to this transformation, much of the growth will depend heavily on the relationships we build with foreign economies. Aligning with this requirement, fostering global competencies among the future generation must be our utmost priority. Gaining global competencies will allow young people to work in this economy when dealing with people from across borders. They will be able to learn about various cultures, languages, and systems. Hence, in this connected world, having a global curriculum will vastly help the youth to gain global competencies.
As an educator with vast experience, what do you have to say about the current opportunities for higher education in the foreign land? In what ways is Monash, through UCB, supporting the students of this country in this regard?
Studying abroad is undoubtedly a life-changing and rewarding experience, fostering both career and personal development. Studying abroad will give students the opportunity to interact with large communities of students, allowing a different perspective on life altogether. From enhancing global networks to experiencing new cultures, the benefits are significant. At the current time, students are becoming heavily interested in the prospect of studying abroad and attaining a global degree. However, the idea is often hindered by obstacles such as high expenses. Monash University has allowed a fantastic opportunity by working with an outstanding local partner like UCB for the students to overcome this barrier. By setting up a pathway to higher education, so many Bangladeshi students looking for new ways of access to higher education will benefit largely from this partnership.
How do you see the future of Bangladesh in terms of education and what else can be done to enable a high-quality education curriculum?
The future of education in Bangladesh is definitely looking quite bright, given we continue to work hard to make it easier for students to learn. Our goal must be to create more immersive learning experiences that encompass a global curriculum to prepare the students for a better future. Besides, utilizing technology to the fullest can also help catalyze this journey to high-quality education.
When the pandemic began, students began learning through remote classes. Are there any specific trends you witnessed in their performance?
Transitioning from physical to online education was definitely not easy. But we accomplished that very quickly. In the beginning, it was difficult for students and teachers to adjust to the new change as the crisis kept getting worse. Some students were stuck at home with various health-related problems, while others were facing technological challenges. Despite all the difficulties, our students performed notably in Bangladesh and other countries. One trend we noticed was that the academic performances were better! As the students were completely focused on their education and had nothing else to do, they seemed to excel in all aspects of their academic factors. We also found out from our regular surveys that students were extremely satisfied with online education and were enjoying it very much!
What do you have to say about outcome-based education, and how can the country utilize it for a comprehensive educational system?
When I was at university, education was all about gaining knowledge. Today, education is mostly about giving students the skills and tools so that they can acquire their own knowledge. In this ever-evolving world, outcome-based education is essential. Without a doubt, knowledge is important. What is also important is adaptability, confidence, and competencies: these are the outcomes we look for in today’s education system. And the country should start applying these factors to its curriculum as quickly as possible. This way, when students go into the workforce next time, they will become unstoppable.
What roles do educational institutes such as UCB play in establishing and maintaining high-quality education?
The global and the local are now very strongly connected. As Bangladesh develops more and more, there will be an increasing number of global opportunities available. Whether students work in Bangladesh or overseas, they will need a comprehensive, high-quality education curriculum. It is vital that, as educational institutes, we focus on the core outcomes rather than just filling the heads with just facts and figures. Institutes like UCB play a huge role in providing a doorway to a first-class global degree right here, in the heart of Dhaka. There are many students who prefer to study abroad but want to learn somewhere closer to home. Through UCB, students can get the opportunity to study at a major campus in Malaysia, which is nearby Bangladesh. The country is culturally and religiously familiar and a great safe and secured option.
