Year
2026
Reform Domain
Manifesto Watch
Education
Sub Domain
Education and Human Resource Development
Source of Reform Proposals
Election Manifesto of Bangladesh Nationalist Party - BNP
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
This pledge has been articulated in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) election manifesto for Bangladesh’s 13th National Election. The manifesto states that "The National University will be divided into eight regional branches, each with a pro-vice-chancellor, to improve administration and make curricula modern and aligned with the labour market. The UGC will be further empowered and strengthened so it can provide overall strategic leadership in higher education and research.”
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
On 9 April 2026, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said the National University had undertaken a major curriculum reform focused on practical and job-oriented education, calling it an important milestone for the university. On 7 June 2026, it announced ICT training for 12,000 college teachers, linking the initiative to demand-based education, skills development and employment generation.
Legal and Policy Framework
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
The National University began formalising curriculum reforms through official academic decisions from April 2026. On 23 April, English and Communicative English were incorporated into Degree and Honours programmes from the 2024–25 academic year. On 14 May, a revised Degree (Pass) syllabus was brought into effect. In July, Applied ICT was introduced as a compulsory course for second-year Honours students across all subjects, further strengthening the curriculum’s focus on digital skills and future labour-market needs.
Operationalisation
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
The National University began putting the curriculum reforms into practice from June 2026. It launched training on work-oriented education and announced ICT training for 12,000 college teachers. In July, NU initiated preparation of new textbooks for around 3 million students, validated an Applied ICT resource book, and set examiner criteria for the compulsory ICT course. In September, colleges were asked to identify teachers for Applied ICT, followed by instructions for ICT practical examinations.
Observation
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Policymakers have repeatedly emphasised the need to modernise higher education, and National University authorities have taken several initiatives to improve curriculum relevance, skills development and employability. National University has also taken steps towards regional decentralisation through new regional centres. Going forward, further clarity on the proposed eight regional branches with pro-vice-chancellors and on measures to strengthen the UGC’s strategic role in higher education and research will be important for assessing the pledge more fully.