Malaysia is likely to introduce Graduate Plus visas for Bangladeshi students studying in the country, allowing thousands to access high-skilled jobs in Malaysia’s expanding economy.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus raised the issue during a meeting with Malaysian Higher Education Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) 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. Adviser Asif Nazrul and Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain attended the meeting.

Currently, around 10,000 Bangladeshi students are enrolled at Malaysian universities. While students from other countries enjoy access to Malaysia’s job market through Graduate Pass visas, this privilege has not yet been extended to Bangladeshi students.

Earlier on Wednesday, Malaysian Education Minister Fadhlina binti Sidek met Prof Yunus at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur to discuss enhancing educational cooperation. They explored expanding scholarships for Bangladeshi students and broadening student and faculty exchange programmes.

Prof Yunus also sought formal recognition of Bangladeshi degrees by Malaysian authorities and institutions.

The Malaysian minister showed keen interest in Prof Yunus’s long-standing “Three Zero” campaign, which aims to eliminate global poverty and unemployment and reduce carbon emissions to zero.

“Unless you imagine a world without poverty, it won’t happen,” Prof Yunus said, urging global leaders to build a civilisation free from self-destruction. He invited the Malaysian minister to visit Dhaka to strengthen educational ties further.

Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, and Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed were also present.

MN/