He said these things while speaking at the QS Bangladesh Forum 2026 event held on Monday (17 August).

The education minister said there is a question about why QS ratings should be limited to universities in developed countries. He commented that if universities from SAARC countries were included in the ratings, the position of Bangladeshi universities could have been better.

Ehsanul Haque Milon also raised a question about PhD degrees not being introduced in private universities even after a long time. He wanted to know why no effective initiative was taken in this regard even after so many years.

The education minister also expressed concern over the research capacity of the country's universities. According to him, there are many talented researchers in Bangladesh's universities who are applying their knowledge and skills to development and research abroad. But not being able to identify them so that they can be utilized in their own country is a failure for Bangladesh.

He said the government is working with priority on increasing the research capacity of the country's universities and on engaging talented researchers in the country. One of the government's main goals is to strengthen the country's universities internationally by improving the quality of education and research.