NSU–BIISS National Seminar on “From Workforce to Strategic Partnership

NSU–BIISS National Seminar on “From Workforce to Strategic Partnership: Reimagining Bangladesh–KSA Relations”

Date: 10 October 2026
Venue: Multipurpose Hall, Foreign Service Academy, Dhaka
Organised jointly by: Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Center for Migration Studies (CMS), North South University (NSU)

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the Center for Migration Studies (CMS) of North South University (NSU) jointly organised a national seminar titled “From Workforce to Strategic Partnership: Reimagining Bangladesh–KSA Relations” on Saturday, 10 October 2026, at the Multipurpose Hall of the Foreign Service Academy, Dhaka.

Mr Humaiun Kobir, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, attended the seminar as the Chief Guest. Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral) and IGM (East & West), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended as the Special Guest.

Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman, awc, afwc, psc, G, Director General of BIISS, delivered the welcome address and moderated the seminar. Professor SK Tawfique M Haque, Director, South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), NSU, delivered the introductory remarks.

The seminar featured two keynote presentations delivered by Dr Mohammed Nuruzzaman, Professor, Department of Political Science and Sociology, NSU, and Dr Selim Reza, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and Sociology, NSU, and Coordinator of the Center for Migration Studies (CMS). The presentations examined Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the situation of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, and emerging opportunities and challenges for Bangladesh in strengthening bilateral relations.

The subsequent panel discussion featured Dr Rashed uz Zaman, Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, and Dr Benuka Ferdousi, Senior Research Fellow, BIISS. The discussion provided an opportunity to explore the strategic dimensions of Bangladesh–Saudi Arabia relations, particularly the scope for moving beyond a workforce-centred relationship towards a broader strategic partnership.

An open discussion session followed, bringing together representatives from government institutions, migrant workers’ advocacy groups, development partners, academia, youth organisations, and civil society. Their participation enriched the deliberations by bringing diverse perspectives on migration, bilateral cooperation, and the future of Bangladesh–Saudi Arabia relations.

The seminar concluded with closing remarks by Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor, NSU.

The seminar highlighted the importance of broadening Bangladesh–Saudi Arabia relations beyond labour migration by exploring opportunities for enhanced cooperation and a more comprehensive strategic partnership. It also underscored the value of sustained dialogue among policymakers, researchers, academic institutions, and other stakeholders in identifying shared priorities and emerging avenues for bilateral engagement.