Press release

Today, the Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh held an information session on its new higher education programme "Asia Link" which was attended by representatives from universities across Bangladesh.

Over the coming decade the European Commission will give a priority to developing its relations with Asia. The Asia Link programme will make an important contribution to this enhancing co-operation between higher education institutions by intensifying academic, research and student exchanges between the countries of the European Union and Asia. The programme aims to provide a response to the challenges presented by the internationalization of higher education in Asia and Europe and recognises the higher education sector's increasingly important role in economic and technological development, competitiveness, growth and labour markets. The dissolution of national boundaries and the integration of markets as part of the globalisation process have led to this need for an increasing internationalisation of higher education institutions relevant to each country, necessary for technological research and development and the ability to participate in the knowledge society.

Asia Link will build up links in areas supporting economic development such as economics, management, engineering, health, tourism, sustainable development and more. Developing the link between higher education and the job market will be a prime objective. Projects will aim to assist universities in providing courses that will give young people the opportunity to get employment in areas crucial for economic development whilst also contributing to greater understanding between young people in the EU and Asia.

Further information on the call is available on the European Union's website on:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects/asia-link

Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh
House 7, Road 84
Dhaka 1212
Bangladesh