The Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University (BOU), Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam, has returned home this morning after attending the ACU Council Meeting and Congress organised by The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
From 25 to 29 November 2025, he attended the conference in Nairobi as a member of the ACU Council, participated in the ACU Council Board Meeting, and presented BOU’s ongoing activities at the ACU Congress, highlighting the expansion of technology-based education, the advancement of open and distance learning, and the implementation of employment-oriented education.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Obaidul Islam said, “Across the Commonwealth, universities are not merely educational institutions—they are key drivers of economic growth, innovation, and social development.”
Citing ACU research, he noted that a mere 1% increase in higher education enrollment could raise the GDP of Commonwealth countries by up to $ 28 billion by 2029.
The Vice-Chancellor outlined several strategies for sustainable investment in the higher education sector, addressing challenges such as budget constraints, limited resources, and low enrolment rates. His proposed strategies included public–private partnerships (PPP), performance-based financing, alumni and philanthropic fund development, and digital transformation.
He emphasised that investment in universities is, in fact, an investment in national prosperity, skilled human resource development, and sustainable development. He called for strengthening the role of universities through evidence-based data, research, and innovation.
Representatives from over 400 universities in Commonwealth countries participated in this international congress organised by the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
