The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the Maldives, Dr Md Nazmul Islam, on Tuesday met with an 11-member delegation from the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) comprising 10 undergraduate, master’s and PhD students and one faculty member, following their successful seven-day academic visit to Bangladesh under the Social Entrepreneurship Exposure Programme (SEEP) 2026.
The delegation had also met with the high commissioner prior to their departure for Bangladesh. During today’s meeting, the students enthusiastically shared their experiences and reflections from their visit to Bangladesh from September 29 to October 5, 2026.
The students expressed their appreciation for the warmth, hospitality and friendliness of the people of Bangladesh, describing their experience as highly enjoyable and enriching. They particularly praised Bangladeshi cuisine, noting that they enjoyed the food so much that they continued looking for Bangladeshi food after returning to the Maldives.
The students also expressed increased interest in Bangladeshi ready-made garments, which they particularly appreciated during their visit. They further shared their interest in social entrepreneurship, social business and microcredit initiatives in Bangladesh. They expressed their desire to visit Bangladesh again in the future and further explore the country’s academic, cultural and social environment.
Academic and cultural exposure
The visit was organised under SEEP 2026, hosted by Daffodil International University (DIU) from September 29 to October 5, 2026. The programme was designed to provide IUM students with academic exposure, practical learning opportunities, institutional interaction and cross-cultural experiences in the field of social entrepreneurship.
During their stay, the delegation visited a number of academic, historical and cultural locations, including the University of Dhaka, Lalbagh Fort, Bashundhara Shopping Mall and the Turag River, among other places. These visits enabled the students to experience Bangladesh’s history, culture, urban life and social environment beyond the formal academic programme.
Following their arrival in Dhaka on September 29, the students commenced their programme at DIU with a campus tour and opening ceremony on September 30. Academic sessions included Introduction to Social Business, Financial Aspects of Social Business and Social Business Model Canvas, together with group work providing practical understanding of social business concepts. Sports and recreational activities also facilitated interaction between the Maldivian participants and their Bangladeshi counterparts.
On October 1, the delegation visited the High Commission of Maldives in Bangladesh, followed by shopping and other activities. On October 2, the students visited a historical site in Dhaka and participated in further cultural and local experiences.
The academic programme continued on October 3 with sessions on Social Business and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Management Aspects of Social Business, Marketing for Sustainability and Social Business Plan Preparation. The day also included a BBQ programme and informal interaction among participants.
On October 4, the students participated in final presentations, followed by a visit to the Yunus Centre, a certificate-giving ceremony and a visit to the Nobel Museum. The programme concluded on October 5 with the delegation’s departure from Dhaka for the Maldives.
High commissioner highlights importance of academic exchanges
During the meeting, High Commissioner Dr Md Nazmul Islam warmly welcomed the students and encouraged them to share their experiences of Bangladesh with their fellow students, friends and the wider Maldivian community.
The high commissioner expressed appreciation to the delegation for undertaking the visit and actively participating in the academic and cultural programme, emphasising that regular academic and educational exchanges between Bangladesh and the Maldives can serve as an important bridge between the two countries by creating opportunities for young people to interact, learn from one another and develop a deeper understanding of each other’s societies and cultures.
Dr Nazmul Islam expressed hope that similar exchange programmes would be organised more frequently in the future, involving a greater number of students and educational institutions from both countries. The high commissioner also thanked the Islamic University of Maldives for participating in the programme and sending its students to Bangladesh, expressing appreciation to Daffodil International University for hosting the delegation and arranging a comprehensive programme combining academic learning, social entrepreneurship, cultural exposure and institutional engagement.
Academic exchange as an instrument of public diplomacy
The Bangladesh High Commission views academic exchanges as an important instrument of cultural diplomacy, public diplomacy and Bangladesh’s soft power. By connecting students, academics and educational institutions, such initiatives create opportunities for lasting people-to-people relationships, promote mutual understanding and contribute to stronger and more meaningful Bangladesh-Maldives relations.
The enthusiastic feedback from the IUM students demonstrated how academic exchanges can extend beyond classrooms and institutions by creating personal experiences, cultural appreciation and friendships that contribute to long-term people-to-people connections between Bangladesh and the Maldives.
The high commissioner observed that when students learn together, institutions connect and young people build friendships; education becomes a powerful instrument of diplomacy and a lasting expression of Bangladesh’s “Power of Bonding” with the Maldives.