Bangladeshi Students Community in Denmark: Sharing Perspectives
We, current and former Bangladeshi students at Danish universities, wish to express our deep concern
about recent developments regarding Bangladeshi student admissions at Roskilde University and the
broader public discourse in Denmark.
Bangladesh is home to a youthful population, with over 66% in the productive age group (15–64)
1
.
Around 60.000 students from the country are currently pursuing higher education abroad, with a
significant number receiving fully funded study opportunities. The years 2024-25 saw over 250
Bangladeshi students receiving prestigious Erasmus Mundus
2
, Swedish Institute
3
, Chevening (UK)
4
and
Australia Awards
5
scholarships. With around 27.000 students studying in the USA, Bangladesh ranks
among the top 10 sources of international students
6
, highlighting the youth’s
commitment to educational
excellence and international engagement.
The global achievements are also mirrored in Denmark, where Bangladeshi academics and researchers
have cultivated scholarly footprints across major Danish universities: DTU, UCPH, Aarhus, Aalborg,
and ITU. Beyond academia, Bangladeshi professionals have earned positions in Denmark’s prominent
workplaces, including Novo Nordisk, Danfoss, Maersk, Danske Bank, Danish Refugee Council, and the
UN City. These trajectories demonstrate consistency in academic, innovation, and societal contribution.
The combination of visible academic and professional success, supportive post-graduation policies, and
strong community recommendations has led to a recent surge in applications from Bangladesh to Danish
universities. At the same time, we recognise that academic systems in Denmark and Bangladesh differ,
particularly in terms of resources and pedagogical approaches. It is therefore essential to safeguard the
integrity of Danish higher education by maintaining an admissions process for international students that
weighs academic merit, preparedness, and alignment with the values of the Danish welfare state.
We respectfully call on the respective Danish authorities and universities to review intermediary
agencies’ involvement in student admissions. Such a measure should aim not only to address existing
concerns but also to establish clear guidelines for external recruitment partners and regular audits as
proactive safeguards to prevent future misuse. Education must remain a pathway for genuine academic
pursuit accessible to all internationals, not a vehicle for immigration nor a commercial enterprise for
institutions, agencies, or employers.
As these measures are considered, we emphasise the importance of affirming that the actions of a few
do not unfairly affect the broader community of Bangladeshi citizens in Denmark, who are committed
to academic integrity and respectful of Danish values. We trust that Danish authorities, in their efforts
to uphold national interests and academic standards, will continue to take appropriate measures to ensure
that all students are treated with dignity and respect.
Should you wish to provide input regarding this matter, please contact Ahmed Al Farabi ([email protected]), Md Akter Husain
([email protected]), Asadur Rahman Chowdhury ([email protected]).
1
2
https://www.unfpa.org/data/world-population/BD
https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/273146/ugc-congratulates-159-erasmus-mundus-scholarship-recipients?
3
https://si.se/app/uploads/2025/04/si-scholarship-recipients-2025.pdf
4
https://www.bssnews.net/others/309842
5
https://australiaawardssouthasiamongolia.org/wpcontent/uploads/2025/05/190525_Year_In_Review_2024_Bangladesh_MR.pdf
6
https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/btn/25_0605_2024-sevis-btn.pdf?