ULAB takes step to offering joint Phd with University of Portsmouth

The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) has moved a step closer to offering a joint PhD program in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth (UoP) in the UK.

It held a soft-launch initiative online on Aug 6. A nearly two-hour programme conducted over Zoom brought together senior officials from the two universities, project partners, and representatives involved in quality assurance and international engagement, ULAB said in a statement. 

The event began with welcome remarks by Prof Shamsad Mortuza, vice chancellor of ULAB. Bobby Mehta, pro vice-chancellor (global engagement) and Jacqueline Priego,  associate dean (global engagement), represented the University of Portsmouth. ULAB was represented by Prof Jude William R Genilo, pro vice chancellor.

Other participants included Md Musharoff Hossain, founding president, Federation of Bangladesh Human Resource Organizations (FBHRO), Bangladesh, as a project partner; and Piers Wall of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), UK. Prof Shahnaj Husne Jahan, head of the GED Department, ULAB; Jaina Hunt, UK-side liaison, and Parvez Mahmud, project director, ULAB-side, were also present.

Following the initial speeches, an interactive workshop was conducted on Transnational Education (TNE). Participants were divided into two groups and discussed a series of key questions related to TNE, sharing their opinions, experiences, and recommendations concerning the development of the proposed joint PhD programme.

At the end of the group discussions, Prof Genilo and Dr Priego presented a summary of the major issues, suggestions, and recommendations emerging from the two groups.

“The soft launch marks an important milestone in ULAB's continuing efforts to expand international partnerships and develop opportunities for advanced research and doctoral education. The proposed collaboration with the University of Portsmouth is expected to strengthen academic and research links between Bangladesh and the UK while creating new opportunities for internationally connected doctoral education through Transnational Education,” ULAB said in a statement.