Bangladeshi students to get Graduate Plus visas in Malaysia

Malaysia is considering introducing Graduate Plus visas for Bangladeshi students, a move that could allow thousands to take up high-skilled jobs in the country’s growing economy.

The matter was discussed during a meeting between Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Malaysian Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

“We had productive discussions with the minister. In principle, he has agreed to issue Graduate Pass visas to Bangladeshi students in Malaysia. However, both sides need to complete certain formalities before the policy can take effect,” said Law, Justice and Overseas Recruitment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, who attended the meeting along with Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.

Currently, about 10,000 Bangladeshi students are enrolled in Malaysian universities. While international students from other countries enjoy access to Malaysia’s job market, Bangladeshi students have so far been excluded from this opportunity.

Earlier on Wednesday, Malaysian Education Minister Fadhlina binti Sidek met Professor Yunus in Kuala Lumpur to discuss expanding scholarships, enhancing student and faculty exchange programmes, and securing Malaysian recognition for Bangladeshi degrees.

The Malaysian minister also expressed interest in Yunus’s “Three Zero” campaign, aimed at eliminating poverty and unemployment and reducing carbon emissions to zero. “Unless you imagine a world without poverty, it won’t happen,” Yunus said, urging global leaders to work towards a sustainable and non-destructive civilisation.

Professor Yunus invited the Malaysian education minister to visit Dhaka to strengthen educational cooperation. Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, and Senior Secretary on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed were also present at the meeting.