The second phase of the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships under the Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor has officially been launched with the inauguration of the Pakistan Education Expo 2026 in Dhaka.
The event held at a local hotel was jointly organised by the Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.
Representatives from 20 Pakistani universities and higher education institutions participated in the expo, presenting academic programs and fully funded scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students.
The initiative was introduced following the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh in August 2025 during which 500 scholarships were announced for Bangladeshi students.
Officials from both countries described the Knowledge Corridor as a key step toward strengthening bilateral relations through education, youth engagement, and academic collaboration.
Bangladesh Education Minister Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon inaugurated the expo and said the initiative would open new avenues for educational and research cooperation between the two countries, while also expanding opportunities for students seeking higher education abroad.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, termed the programme a landmark development in long-term academic partnership. He noted that Bangladeshi students have already begun studies in Pakistan under the first phase and expressed optimism for further expansion of educational exchanges.
He further highlighted that the initiative would enhance academic mobility, joint research, institutional partnerships, and people-to-people connectivity.
Following Dhaka Education Expos will also be held in Barishal (12 May 2026), Rajshahi (14 May 2026), Sylhet (17 May 2026), Chittagong (18 May 2026), and Rangpur (20 May 2026) to widen outreach among students across Bangladesh.
The expo received strong participation from students and academics and was widely appreciated as a significant step toward deepening educational cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
