Dhaka, 29 September 2026:A high-level Bangladesh ministerial delegation led by H.E. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Finance and Planning, met representatives of Arizona State University (ASU) at the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley on 27 September 2026 in California to explore long-term cooperation in semiconductor ecosystem development, education, research, innovation and workforce development.
The Bangladesh delegation included H.E. Shama Obaed Islam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs; H.E. Boby Hajjaj, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education; Mr. Rehan Asif Asad, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology; Mr. Kamrul Islam, Protocol Officer-2 to the Hon’ble Prime Minister; and Mr. Md Jahidul Islam, Deputy Press Secretary-1 to the Hon’ble Prime Minister. H.E. Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States, and Mr. Kazi Muhammad Jabed Iqbal, Consul General of Bangladesh in Los Angeles, also participated.
ASU was represented by Meghan Gibson, Director of Global Development; Dr. Minu Ipe, Vice Chair and Managing Director of the University Design Institute, who joined virtually; and Dr. Ibrahim Khalil, Adjunct Professor and Industry Advisory Board member. ASU has substantial experience in semiconductor education and workforce development, including international partnerships and industry-linked training initiatives.
Discussions focused on developing a practical semiconductor ecosystem in Bangladesh by connecting engineering education, research, skilled workforce development, industry and investment. Potential areas of cooperation included semiconductor and microelectronics curricula, faculty and professional training, applied research, university-industry partnerships and institutional capacity building.
State Minister Shama Obaed Islam highlighted opportunities to deepen Bangladesh-US cooperation in education, science, research and technology. State Minister Boby Hajjaj emphasized STEM education, teacher development and preparing young people for emerging industries. Adviser Rehan Asif Asad stressed the importance of a realistic semiconductor roadmap linking education and research with industry, investment and commercialization.
The two sides also explored cooperation with ASU’s University Design Institute on higher education transformation and institutional capacity building. The Institute works internationally with universities, governments and education systems on institutional transformation.
Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir emphasized sustainable planning, human-capital development and stronger education-industry linkages, with the objective of translating technology partnerships into skilled employment, research capacity, innovation and investment.
As a key next step, the two sides discussed developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a structured framework for cooperation in semiconductor education and workforce development, research, curriculum and faculty development, university-industry engagement and higher education transformation.
Both sides expressed interest in continuing the dialogue and identifying specific, implementable projects and institutional counterparts. The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Los Angeles will facilitate follow-up between ASU and the relevant ministries, universities and institutions in Bangladesh.