In a landmark move for the country’s higher education sector, Brac University is set to become the first private university in Bangladesh to launch its own PhD program a long-awaited milestone that many in academia have been hoping for.
The PhD program will be launched officially on the evening of Monday, June 16, at Brac University’s permanent campus in Merul Badda, Dhaka.
What makes it even more special is the collaboration behind it Brac University has partnered with the prestigious School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) under the University of London to bring this vision to life.
This initiative didn’t just happen overnight. For years, academics and educators have been calling for PhD opportunities within the private university system. However, concerns about educational quality and institutional readiness kept the dream on hold until now.
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According to sources from Brac University and the University Grants Commission (UGC), this joint program has been approved after much consideration and is designed to meet international standards. Senior officials from both Brac University and UGC will attend the launch, making it a significant moment not just for the university, but for the future of advanced research in Bangladesh.
Just last month, UGC Chairman Professor Dr. S. M. A. Faiz stated that private universities capable of maintaining academic excellence would be allowed to offer PhD programs. It seems Brac University was ready and now it’s leading the way.
For students, researchers, and educators across Bangladesh, this is more than just an academic program. It’s a symbol of progress, an indication that private institutions are rising to meet global benchmarks, and that the country is investing in deeper, more impactful knowledge.
The program offers new hope for aspiring researchers who no longer need to rely solely on public universities or foreign institutions for doctoral studies. For Brac University, it’s a proud moment one that marks a shift in how private universities are perceived, and what they are capable of contributing to national development.
As the first of its kind in the private sector, this PhD program could pave the way for a more inclusive, research-oriented academic culture in Bangladesh one that recognizes talent and nurtures innovation, regardless of institutional boundaries.
