The curriculum of American International University Bangladesh (AIUB) is meticulously crafted to align with market and industry demands, ensuring that the students are equipped with the skills and knowledge sought after by employers in today's job market.
As a research-intensive institution, the AUIB has taken a number of initiatives to drive innovation in education.
AIUB's future plans include expanding its programme offerings to cater to emerging fields and industries, strengthening partnerships with industry leaders for research and development, enhancing infrastructure and facilities to support the students, increasing international collaborations for global exposure and opportunities, and aiming to build a skilled and knowledgeable generation ready to face the challenges of the 4th industrial revolution.
Founder Member and Chairman of AIUB Board of Trustees Ishtiaque Abedin made the remarks in an interview with The Business Post’s Mir Mohammad Jasim.
What is the vision of AIUB?
AIUB's vision is to foster skilled professionals and outstanding leaders to address the evolving technological landscape and the developmental requirements of both the national and international community.
We are committed to delivering top-tier technology-driven higher education that aligns with the demands of the contemporary era.
How far is AIUB from achieving its goals?
Reaching our goals, aligned with the vision, is a continuous journey. In that rewarding journey, Team AIUB continues to make significant strides, driven by passion and commitment.
Our focus is on addressing the evolving needs of both local and global technological advancements through cutting-edge research, educational programmes, and strategic initiatives.
We have formulated our next ten-year Academic Strategic Plan 2023-2033 - placing primary emphasis on academic leadership, sustainable development, internationalisation, and research & innovation to guide our future growth and development.
Through concerted efforts, the university continues to cultivate skilled professionals and foster leadership qualities among its students.
This unwavering dedication not only enhances the educational experience but also underscores AIUB's commitment to meeting the dynamic demands of the world.
What are the achievements of AIUB?
AIUB’s journey started with a modest number of students, but has since evolved into a thriving academic community of over 36,000 graduates making their mark in various fields both locally and globally, showcasing our commitment to academic excellence and all-rounded education.
AIUB's achievements span a wide spectrum of initiatives. With an extensive range of programmes covering diverse disciplines, the university ensures graduates are all-rounded and well-prepared with practical skills and knowledge vital for their professional journey.
Collaborations with industry partners enable AIUB to offer internships, research opportunities, and job placements, enriching students' real-world experiences.
AIUB's dedication to excellence is evident through its recognition for providing quality higher education, with ISO 9001:2008 certification, at home and abroad.
Additionally, the university’s receipt of a certificate for permanent operation and establishment from the Bangladesh government solidifies its position as a distinguished institution committed to academic distinction and societal advancement.
What is so special about AIUB?
AIUB is a student-focused university committed to providing world-class education. Noteworthy is the university’s commitment to offering a global education perspective, achieved through collaborations with international universities and organisations.
The institution places particular emphasis on experiential learning, forging industry partnerships, fostering leadership development, and facilitating the acquisition of practical skills, all geared toward preparing students for successful career development.
We are also a research-intensive university. We have taken various initiatives to drive innovation in education, with a notable example being the establishment of the Dr Anwarul Abedin Institute of Innovation (D2AI2).
Within the framework of D2AI2, four research centres have been formed – the Center for Sustainable Energy Research (CSER), Center for VLSI and Embedded Systems (CVES), Center for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), and Center for Biomedical Research (CBR).
These research centres actively contribute to innovative projects aligned with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The institute is deeply involved in research and development endeavours, ranging from creating a Television Rating Point (TRP) system for Bangladeshi TV channels to developing a smart tourism curriculum and learning management system (LMS) and exploring innovations in climate-resilient technologies and nanomaterials.
Finally, AIUB's vibrant extracurricular setup – comprising around 50 student clubs overseen by dedicated student executive committees and volunteers – also stands out as another unique speciality.
We are committed to making a positive impact in society.
Apart from classroom teaching, in-campus activities, and industry-academic collaboration, our contribution to society is also evidenced by the huge number of scholarships we provide to different categories of students and the contribution of our graduates at national and international levels.
One of our recent female graduates is a national team football player, making her mark in the South Asian Football Competition, while another male graduate is an internationally acclaimed number-one cricketer Shakib-Al Hasan, who has been elected as a Member of Parliament.
Is AIUB syllabus market/industry oriented?
AIUB's curriculum is meticulously crafted to align with market and industry demands, ensuring students are equipped with the skills and knowledge sought after by employers in today’s job market.
Each department formed a specialised Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) comprising industry leaders and alumni. This panel consistently offers invaluable feedback on the curriculum, incorporating the latest industrial skills deemed essential for student success.
Why do students pick AIUB?
Students choose AIUB for admission because it offers education following international standards, which can be appealing to students seeking quality education comparable to universities abroad.
AIUB provides a wide range of academic programmes across various disciplines, giving students options to pursue their interests and career goals.
The institution offers modern facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and recreational areas, enhancing the overall learning experience.
AIUB has strong connections with industries and businesses, providing students with opportunities for internships, practical experience, and potential job placements upon graduation.
It facilitates networking opportunities with alumni, professionals, and organisations worldwide, which can be advantageous for students’ career development and future endeavours. The university offers comprehensive student support services, including counselling, career guidance, academic advising, and extracurricular activities, fostering a supportive environment for student's personal and academic growth.
Overall, students choose AIUB for admission due to its reputation for quality education, diverse opportunities, supportive environment, and personal and professional development.
What are AIUB’s plans for the future?
AIUB’s future plans include expanding its programme offerings to cater to emerging fields and industries, strengthening partnerships with industry leaders for research and development, enhancing infrastructure and facilities to support the students, increasing international collaborations for global exposure and opportunities, and aiming to build a skilled and knowledgeable generation ready to face the challenges of the 4th industrial revolution.
This vision is evidenced by the recent publication of AIUB Academic Strategic Plan 2023-2033, outlining the university's growth and excellence over the upcoming decade.
Do you think private universities can curb education migration?
Reducing education migration is a multi-stakeholder responsibility.
As a reputed private university, AIUB is doing its part to reduce education migration by providing international standard quality education in Bangladesh at a lower cost compared to the Western countries.
Our modern state-of-the-art campus, classrooms, auditoriums, amphitheatre, laboratories, and sports complex provide a world-class student life experience.
While such world-class learning experience offered by AIUB motivates many to pursue their studies at AIUB, prudent government incentives and regulatory support to the reputed private universities can be a great catalyst to further reduce education migration.
For example, tax incentives and the provision of running PhD programmes in competent private universities – for which AIUB has already applied – will be a great enabler to not only reduce the education migration but also attract a greater number of foreign students to choose private universities like the AIUB to pursue their higher studies.
As we continue our stride to remain a nationally and internationally renowned institution that offers top-notch higher education, we believe that incentivising the competent private universities by the government and regulatory bodies can indeed turn the tide of education migration, making Bangladesh a preferred destination for higher education by both local and international students.
What is the current ranking of AIUB?
AIUB has secured a 4-star rating as the first university in Bangladesh from QS Stars.
AIUB has excelled in several areas, scoring 5 stars in Employability, Academic Development, and Environmental Impact; 4 stars in Teaching, Facilities, and Programme Strength; and a Good rating in Internationalisation. This outstanding achievement underscores AIUB's commitment to providing top-tier education, fostering research, and driving innovation.
It is a testament to the collective efforts of the management, faculty members, staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders who continuously strive for quality enhancement.
Securing a 4-star rating elevates AIUB to a distinguished position globally, highlighting its exceptional teaching standards, cutting-edge facilities, vibrant campus life, and impactful research initiatives.
AIUB is continually improving in other categories of university ranking systems and aspires to be one of the best universities in the world in the near future.