Trustee Lutfe M. Ayub, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Chittagong Independent University (CIU), accompanied by Trustee Syed Mahmudul Huq, paid a courtesy call on Hon’ble Education Minister H.E. Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon on July 5, 2026, to brief him on an upcoming international initiative aimed at strengthening higher education cooperation between Bangladesh and Malaysia. Mr. Md. Mahbubul Hoque Patwary, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education, was also present at the meeting. During the meeting the Hon’ble Minister was formally invited to grace the Inaugural Session of the forthcoming International Seminar on “Creating Pathways for Education, Skills and Employability: A Bangladesh–Malaysia Joint Initiative” as the Chief Guest. The seminar is being jointly organized by Chittagong Independent University (CIU), HELP University, Malaysia, the High Commission of Malaysia in Bangladesh, and UCEP Bangladesh and is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh. The seminar seeks to build on the outcomes of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s recent official visit to Malaysia by promoting collaboration in higher education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), skills development, employability, lifelong learning, and human capital development. The event will bring together policymakers, university leaders, industry representatives, development partners, and education experts from both countries to explore practical pathways for strengthening Bangladesh–Malaysia cooperation in these areas. The Hon’ble Minister appreciated the initiative and acknowledged the importance of fostering stronger international partnerships to enhance the quality and global relevance of higher education in Bangladesh. Aligned with CIU’s strategic vision of internationalization, this initiative reaffirms CIU’s commitment to strengthening global academic collaboration while contributing to the national agenda for higher education, skills development, and international engagement.