Since its establishment in 2003, United International University (UIU) has quickly become one of the most influential private universities in Bangladesh. Starting with just 76 students under the patronage of the United Group, UIU has made significant strides in higher education. It is now a beacon of academic excellence, research and innovation both in Bangladesh and the South Asian region.

At the heart of UIU’s mission is the vision to become a center of excellence in education and research, not only locally, but also regionally.

In this interview with The Business Standard, Dr Dr Abul Kashem Mia, Vice-Chancellor of UIU, discusses the progress the institution has made since its inception, shares its aspirations for the next decade and explains how UIU prepares students to meet the demands of a constantly changing global labor market.

Compared to when the university was established, how many of the goals since then have you been able to achieve so far? Where do you want to see your institution in the next 10 years?

We are proud of how far we have come since our beginnings. Our initial goals were focused on providing quality education and establishing a research culture, and I believe we have made remarkable progress in these areas. Over the next decade, I envision UIU becoming a global leader in research and education, with an even stronger presence in the South Asian region.

We aim to foster deeper collaborations with international universities, expand our research output and ensure that our graduates continue to excel in competitive job markets at home and abroad.

In which areas do you see the greatest potential for research growth within the university? Are there specific areas or projects you want to prioritize?

We see huge potential in IT and network security, financial innovation and the economy, and biodiversity and the environment. In fact, some of our faculty members have already been recognized among the top 2% of scientists globally in these fields.

Moving forward, we are also committed to promoting research in digital healthcare, renewable energy technologies, cybersecurity and blockchain, and Islamic finance.

Many universities in Bangladesh struggle with limited research funding. How do you plan to address this challenge and improve your university’s research output?

We have made research a top priority at UIU. Every year we allocate Tk3 crore specifically for research activities. We have two dedicated institutes and two research centers to drive innovation, including the Institute for Advanced Research (IAR), which collaborates with academia and industry locally and internationally.

To further stimulate research, we are offering cash awards of Tk 15,000 for student research papers and Tk 25,000 for faculty publications. We also cover publication costs, which can go up to Tk4 lakh per paper.

Since private universities in Bangladesh cannot yet offer PhD programs, we are recruiting Research Assistants (RAs) from among our senior students, offering them Tk 30,000 per month to engage in research projects.

What steps are you taking to ensure that students graduate with the skills required by employers? Are you going to introduce curriculum reforms?

Our goal is to ensure that every graduate leaves UIU with the skills and knowledge required by the job market. We regularly update our curriculum based on industry feedback, ensuring it aligns with market needs.

Representatives from various industries actively participate in our curriculum committees to provide input. In addition to academic programs, we offer market-based courses through the Institute for Economic and Business Research (IBER) and the Center for the Development of IT Professionals (CDIP).

These courses are designed to give students a competitive edge by equipping them with in-demand skills.

How do you plan to support students with entrepreneurial ambitions given the growing startup culture in Bangladesh?

We emphasize both academic excellence and co-curricular activities to foster entrepreneurship. UIU hosts 16 clubs and 15 forums where students engage in social, cultural and professional development activities.

Through these platforms, we organize workshops, seminars and symposiums with industry experts, helping students develop essential skills such as communication, negotiation and problem solving.

These activities play a vital role in preparing students for both corporate jobs and entrepreneurial ventures.

How do you plan to improve collaboration between your university and international institutions to promote research, knowledge exchange and opportunities for students to study or work abroad?

Strengthening international partnerships is one of our key priorities. UIU aims to collaborate with renowned universities around the world to advance research, teaching and scholarship. Through these partnerships, our students and faculty have access to global learning experiences, scholarships, and research opportunities.

We believe these exchanges are crucial to shaping global careers and ensuring our students thrive in international environments.

What steps are you taking to make the engineering and business faculties more aligned with the demands of Bangladesh’s growing economy?

We understand that in today’s global economy, interdisciplinary knowledge is essential. Our engineering and business programs are designed to meet evolving market demands. We offer cutting-edge subjects such as AI, FinTech, Machine Learning, Supply Chain Management and Data Analytics to ensure our graduates are equipped with future-ready skills.

IU’s journey over the past two decades has been nothing short of remarkable. With a focus on research, innovation and skill-based education, the university is well positioned to shape the next generation of leaders and professionals in Bangladesh.