All Disciplines

Driven by a powerful student movement that reshaped the country’s political, social, and academic landscape, Bangladesh is in the midst of one of the most consequential periods in its modern history.  The student-led uprising of July–August 2024, rooted in universities across the country, reaffirmed the enduring role of students as catalysts for civic engagement and institutional reform.  Building on Bangladesh’s long tradition of student activism, most notably the Language Movement of 1952 and student participation in the 1971 Liberation War, the 2024 movement rapidly expanded from campus-based protests into a nationwide demand for accountability and systemic change. 

Fulbright alumnus and 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has led an Interim Government (IG) formed in the aftermath of the 2024 student-led uprising.  Operating amid sustained public pressure and periodic street protests, the IG is navigating a complex political environment while advancing reform efforts.  The Election Commission has announced that a general election and a referendum on the July Charter will be held February 12, 2026.  The July Charter is a major political accord that emerged after the July 2024 Uprising, outlining proposed constitutional, electoral, and administrative reforms.  The referendum, if passed, will empower the next parliament to make Constitutional changes as proposed in the Charter.  

Situated in South Asia and bordered by India and Myanmar, Bangladesh occupies a strategic position linking South and Southeast Asia.  Since its partition from India in 1947, and following independence from Pakistan in 1971, the country has defined itself through a strong linguistic and cultural identity rooted in the Bengali language and a constitutional commitment to secularism. 

A country of nearly 173 million people, Bangladesh is home to at least 50 ethnic groups, each with distinct cultural traditions, languages, and histories, though ethnic Bengalis comprise approximately 98 percent of the population.  Approximately 89 percent of Bangladeshis identify as Muslim, with Hindus accounting for around 10 percent, and Buddhists and Christians the remaining 1 percent.   

Bangladesh maintained growth rates of a least 5 percent, and often over 6 percent, from 2004 until 2023, except for the COVID year in 2020, lifting millions out of poverty.  Global dynamics, internal political instability, and corruption have slowed growth in 2024 and 2025 to about 4 percent.  Bangladesh is expected to graduate from “Least Developed Country” status in 2026.  The economy’s two strongest pillars are remittances from its large diaspora and the ready-made garments export sector.  The major risks it currently faces include a financial sector weakened by corruption and its low revenue collection that limits the government’s ability to invest in education, health, and infrastructure. 

Bangladeshis are widely recognized for their resilience and hospitality.  Foreign scholars and visitors are typically received with warmth and respect, and former Fulbright Scholars consistently reported positive engagement with host institutions and students.  Bengali is the primary language of instruction and daily life, while English is commonly used in academic, professional, and business contexts. 

Bangladesh’s higher education sector is expanding rapidly to serve a growing and youthful population.  The University Grants Commission (UGC) oversees quality assurance and regulation of the sector, which includes 56 public universities and more than 116 private universities. 

Public universities, shaped by the British colonial education legacy, typically operate on a January-December academic calendar, while private universities, many of which follow North American curricula, operate on a semester system beginning in September.  Private institutions have expanded in response to limited public-sector capacity and rising demand for tertiary education. 

Despite enrolling approximately 4.5 million tertiary-level students, Bangladesh’s Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) stands at 23.77 percent, well below global and regional averages.  Constraints in funding, infrastructure, and research capacity persist.  At the same time, student activism and civic engagement continue to position universities as key drivers of reform, innovation, and leadership development. 

The Fulbright Program plays a significant role in supporting Bangladesh achieving goals to improve the educational landscape and build a skilled and resilient workforce while promoting American excellence in education.  Following a temporary suspension of U.S. exchange programs after the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack in Dhaka, exchanges fully resumed in 2022.  Since then, U.S. Embassy Dhaka has hosted 15 American Fulbright Scholars and Specialists, 10 American English Language Fellows and Specialists, and numerous U.S. speakers. 

Programs were briefly paused following the 2024 student-led uprising, but resumed in December 2024.  Security conditions have since improved, and Bangladesh is entering a new era marked by reform momentum, strong youth engagement, and strong interest international academic collaboration. 

 Why Choose Bangladesh?