Private Medical Colleges in Bangladesh Report Sharp Decline in Foreign Student Enrolment
Private Medical Colleges – A significant drop in international student admissions has been observed in Bangladesh’s private medical institutions over the last three academic years, prompting worries about the sector’s global appeal. According to the health ministry, the number of foreign students enrolled in these colleges fell to 1,098 in the 2025-26 session from 2,074 in 2022-23, marking a nearly 50% reduction. This decline is largely attributed to a decline in Indian student numbers, who have historically made up over two-thirds of the foreign student population in the country’s private medical colleges, officials and college administrators explained.
Key Contributing Factors to the Decline
The drop in enrollments has been driven by several interconnected issues, including deteriorating diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and India after the 2024 political transition. Additionally, the lack of global recognition for the Bangladesh Medical Education Accreditation Council (BMEAC), which oversees medical education standards, has raised doubts among prospective international students. Officials also pointed to India’s expansion of its own medical education infrastructure as a competing factor.
“The decline is due to propaganda fueled by strained Bangladesh-India relations and the surge in medical opportunities in India,” said Prof Moazzem Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Medical College Association. He noted that a negative campaign in India discouraged students from choosing Bangladesh, while a similar effort in Nepal led to a reduction in Nepali enrollments.
Indian students, who once comprised 68-72% of the foreign student body from 2021-22 to 2023-24, now account for just 44% of the current intake. In the 2021-22 session, 1,432 of the 1,992 foreign students were from India, but this number dropped to 507 out of 1,156 in the most recent academic year. Despite the association’s efforts to attract Nepali students through promotional campaigns, Indian enrollments remained subdued compared to prior years.
Plans for Revival and Policy Adjustments
Prof Nazmul Hossain, director general of the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME), highlighted that improved bilateral relations with India since the current government took office offer hope for a rebound. He emphasized that the government has already initiated measures to boost foreign student admissions, such as streamlining visa processes for international learners. These steps follow directives from the health minister to reduce costs for students, as India’s National Medical Commission recently aligned fees for 50% of private medical college seats with those of public institutions, according to Indian media reports.
“Bilateral ties with India have strengthened, which could lead to renewed interest in Bangladeshi medical education,” said Prof Nazmul. He added that simplifying visa procedures is part of a broader strategy to attract more international students.
Public medical colleges in Bangladesh still maintain dedicated quotas for SAARC countries and other regions, with 125 seats reserved for SAARC students and 99 for others. In the current session, 106 SAARC students enrolled, while approximately 20, primarily from Palestine, were admitted under the “other regions” category. With 6,278 seats available in private colleges, the potential for foreign enrollment remains, though realizing that capacity has proven challenging in recent years.
