Pakistan Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor : A new era of mutual understanding and cooperation
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Dr. Syed Mehboob
Senior Research Editor
The News Lark,
political and economic analyst
Pakistan and Bangladesh are two brothers countries and in recent years both countries relations are moving towards a new height. The Pakistan Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor (PBKC) is a quantum step towards a strategic relations and marks a new chapter in strengthening the historic the historic and cultural ties between two countries, rooted in shared history, traditions , and rich cultural heritage, both nations have maintained positive diplomatic relations over the years.
This initiative aims to enhance collaboration in education, research, and innovation. By fostering academic exchange and mutual learning, the program will create new opportunities for students and scholars. Ultimately, the Knowledge Corridor symbolizes a bridge of understanding and progress between the two brotherly countries.
The project envisages the following academic activities:
1.Allama Iqbal Scholarships for students in prestigious Pakistani public and private sector universities at undergraduate, graduate levels in the discipline of medicine, engineering, computer science, business administration, mass communication and media studies etc. These scholarships will be fully funded covering international travel, living stipends, book allowance and tuition fee.
2.Pakistan Higher Education Expo to be organized to introduce Pakistani universities (both Public and Private) and attract talented students from Bangladesh..
3.Leadership training for civil servants of Bangladesh over the period of 5 years in public administration, governance, public policy and leadership
Following are the objectives of this initiative
·To boost relationship internationally through cooperation in the field of higher education.
·To build a goodwill of Pakistan and enhance people to people contacts with Bangladesh.
·Under the program, Government of Pakistan will offer scholarships to youth, training to leadership for their capacity building through imparting quality education in various fields in Pakistani institutions.
·To establish professional linkages between the educational institutions of the countries through higher education expos.
Government of Pakistan has offered scholarships to Bangladesh's youth for their capacity building through imparting quality education to 500 scholars in various fields including Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Media Studies, Basic & Social Sciences etc. The aim of this scheme is to strengthen bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh and further it will enhance people to people contacts between both brotherly states. It is fully funded Scholarship which Covers Tuition, stipend, hostel & mess charges, settlement allowance, air ticket, books & stationery.
These scholarships are offered at undergraduate level, Master level, Ph.D level. For graduation students must have twelve years of education with at least sixty percent marks. For medicine, dentistry and pharmacy requirement is F.Sc equivalent ( Pre-Medical) with at least sixty five percent marks. For Masters degree sixteen years of education in relevant subjects with at least 3.00 CGP or sixty five percent marks. For doctoral programme eighteen years of education in relevant subjects with at least 3,00 CGP or sixty five percent marks. The Scholarship offers full tuition fee, stipend, hostel & mess charges, settlement allowance, air ticket, books & stationery.
Following are the terms and condition for these scholarships
·Only Bangladesh citizens are eligible for the award of scholarship.
·Age limit for BS programs is 17-23 years and maximum age limit for doctoral programs is 35 years.
·The candidate must have acquired the requisite qualification on or before the last date of application submission.
·The candidate will be required to serve Bangladesh after completion of education in Pakistan.
·Selection will be made purely on merit basis after physical examination of the documents provided by the applicant.
·Placement of students will be solely at HEC discretion
·Medium of instruction will be English
·Merit list will be prepared on the basis of information provided by the applicant. In case of any misinformation/misrepresentation, scholarship will be terminated at any stage
·All registered candidates appear in scholarship test organized by HEC in collaboration with Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka and Bangladesh's Ministry of Higher Education.
·Shortlisted candidates will appear in an online interview.
·Last date for submission of Applications is June 10, 2026
Pakistani higher education is among the rapidly emerging education systems in the world. Since the establishment of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in the early 2000s, comprehensive reforms have been introduced to enhance quality, access, and research excellence in universities. At present, Pakistan hosts around 248 HEC-recognized universities and degree-awarding institutions (DAIs) — including 148 public and 100 private sector institutions — located across all provinces and regions of the country. Federally chartered universities and DAIs are primarily based in Islamabad, with several operating through campuses in other cities as well.
To strengthen educational cooperation and foster regional connectivity, the Annual Pakistan Higher Education Expo is being organized in Bangladesh. The event aims to showcase Pakistan's academic potential and attract talented Bangladeshi students to pursue studies under the Pak–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor Scholarship Program, thereby building long-term academic and cultural linkages between the two nations. In this exhibition following were the salient characteristics:
·Complete information about Pakistani Higher Education system
·Discipline-wise complete information about top Pakistani Universities
·Detailed information about eligibility criteria for admission and scholarships for study in top Pakistani Universities
·Stalls from leading educational institutions of Pakistan
·Educational & career guidance by leading educationists
·On spot registrations for upcoming admissions in top Pakistani Universities
·Opportunity to meet all leading Pakistani universities and higher education institutes under one roof.
·Direct interaction of students and parents with top Pakistani educational institutes
Recognizing the requirement of capacity building of Civil Servants of Bangladesh government, Pak-Bangladesh knowledge corridor offers training for civil servants. The primary focus of this activity is to provide management training at middle and senior level positions. Bangladesh government will nominate government officials each year for a comprehensive training in Pakistan. The training g will be offered in the following areas:
·Public Sector Management & Governance
·Human Resource Management
·Public Policy Planning & Implementation
·Office Management
·Financial Management, Budget Making, and Audit
·Project Planning & Management,
·Monitoring and Evaluation
·Record Management
·Presentation Skills, Communication Skills
·Information Technology Skills
·Handling of official papers (secrecy etc.)
·Strategic Management
·Social, Political and Economic System
·Local Government System
·Civil and Criminal Laws
·Morality, Ethics & Accountability in Public Service
Institutional Cost, boarding lodging, food, printing and round-trip ticket will be provided for the maximum 02 weeks training period.
This move an excellent initiative to bring the Bangladeshi and Pakistani youth closer and to start a new era of friendship, understanding and mutual cooperation. |