Malaysia is likely to introduce Graduate Plus visas for Bangladeshi students studying in the newly industrialized country (NIC) that would open an avenue for thousands to access high-skilled jobs in its expanding economy.
A sign of nod came when visiting
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus raised the matter during a meeting with Malaysian Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, said a spokesperson for the CA Office on Wednesday.
"We had productive discussions with the minister. In principle, he has agreed to issue Graduate Pass visas to Bangladeshi students in Malaysia. However, both sides need to complete certain formalities before the policy can take effect," said Law, Justice and Overseas Recruitment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul.
Adviser Asif Nazrul and Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain were also present at the meeting, where some other matters of mutual interest also came up for discussion.
Currently, about 10,000 Bangladeshis are enrolled at Malaysian universities. While students from other countries enjoy access to Malaysia's job market, this privilege has so far been unavailable to Bangladeshi students.
Earlier in the day (Wednesday), Malaysian Education Minister Fadhlina binti Sidek met Professor Yunus at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The two discussed ways of enhancing educational cooperation, including expanding scholarships for Bangladeshi students in Malaysian universities and colleges.
Professor Yunus stressed the importance of broadening student- and faculty-exchange programmes. Dhaka also sought formal recognition of Bangladeshi degrees by Malaysian authorities and higher education institutions.
The Malaysian minister expressed strong interest in Professor Yunus's long-running "Three Zero" campaign, which aims to eliminate global poverty and unemployment and reduce carbon emissions to zero.
"Unless you imagine a world without poverty, it won't happen," Professor Yunus said in explaining his vision of an ideal planet, urging global leaders to work towards building a civilisation that is not self-destructive.
The head of post-uprising government of Bangladesh invited the Malaysian education minister to visit Dhaka to further strengthen educational ties.
Also present at the meeting were Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, and Senior Secretary on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed.
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