Hong Kong, 30 October 2023:

Ms. Israt Ara, Consul General of Bangladesh in Hong Kong today visited the renowned City University of Hong Kong at the invitation of Professor Freddy Boey, President of the university. Ms. Ara accompanied by the Vice Consul of the Consulate was warmly welcomed by the President, Vice President, Associate Vice Presidents and other members of the global engagement office, cultural exchange office and communications & public relations office of the university. The President alongwith his colleagues had a fruitful meeting with the Consul General. After briefly describing about the curriculum and other basic information of the City University, the President stressed on the vision of the university to bring more students from various countries including Bangladesh to make a diverse group of talented students.

During the discussion, Ms. Ara proposed to consider opening of a campus or a consultation office of City University in Bangladesh, mentioning that Bangladesh could be a potential place for recruiting more students. She also proposed for student exchange programmes, exchange of curriculum, recognition of certificate of Bangladeshi universities. At her proposal to make any institutional arrangements such as MoU for collaboration in the research, innovation, knowledge sharing/ technology transferring between universities, the President agreed on it and offered to share a draft soon in this regatd.

Later, the President proposed for facilitating training programmes in International Policy Affairs to the civil servants of Bangladesh as well as offered co-funding scholarship for the students which were deeply appreciated by the Consul General. He also showed interest for collaboration in veterinary medicine and life science.

On behalf of the Universty, Professor Wen Jung Li, Vice Presdient also hosted a luncheon meeting in honour of the Consul General. During the meeting, a wide range of issues were discussed including possible ways to further collaboration between universities of Bangladesh and Hong Kong, promotion of Bangladesh's history, culture, cuisine in Hong Kong and vice versa. At their proposal, the Consul General showed interest to organize a cultural festival of Bangladesh in their University in the coming year. The Consul General also assured of all kind of supports to the City University. 

A campus tour was later arranged for the Consul General. She visited the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery to experience the arts and sciences based on wide-ranging themes which connected western and asian art.  An exchange of souvenirs was also taken place at the end of the meeting.

It may be mentioned that currently, sixty Bangladeshi students are studying in the City University, which is placed at the 70^th position in the QS World University Ranking and 16^th position in the Asian University Ranking. Most of the Bangladeshi students are now studying in Computer Sciences and Data Science in this University.