Bangladesh-Maldives academic exchange strengthens people-to-people ties

Dhaka, Oct 7: An 11-member delegation from the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) took part in a week-long academic and social entrepreneurship programme at Daffodil International University (DIU), highlighting the growing role of educational exchanges in strengthening Bangladesh-Maldives relations.

The delegation participated in the Social Entrepreneurship Exposure Programme (SEEP) 2026, held at DIU from September 29 to October 5. It comprised 10 master's and PhD students and a faculty member from IUM.

The programme brought together young academics from the two countries through academic sessions, social entrepreneurship activities, cultural exchanges and institutional engagements.

The initiative provided an opportunity for Maldivian students to gain exposure to Bangladesh's higher education and social entrepreneurship ecosystem while building connections with Bangladeshi students and academics.

The Maldives' diplomatic mission in Dhaka welcomed the programme, expressing appreciation to DIU for hosting the delegation and to IUM for participating in the exchange.

Bangladesh High Commissioner in Maldives Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam posted this at his official social media on Tuesday evening.

Such academic exchanges can serve as an important component of cultural and public diplomacy, helping deepen people-to-people contacts alongside traditional government-to-government relations, according to the diplomatic perspective shared on the programme.

The initiative also reflects the broader importance of youth and education in Bangladesh-Maldives relations, particularly as both countries seek to expand cooperation beyond conventional areas of bilateral engagement.

By bringing students and academics together, programmes such as SEEP can create networks that continue beyond the duration of individual visits and contribute to greater mutual understanding between the two societies.

For Bangladesh and the Maldives, where people-to-people links are an important dimension of bilateral relations, educational cooperation offers a platform for developing these ties among a new generation.