President and Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University (BOU) Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday called for expanding and modernising the university’s distance learning programmes to make them more inclusive, quality-oriented and responsive to the needs of learners outside the conventional education system.

He made the call when a five-member delegation of BOU, led by its Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this afternoon.

President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters after the meeting.

During the meeting, the VC congratulated Mirza Fakhrul on assuming office as the President and wished him success in his new role.

He briefed the President on the university’s overall activities, including its academic programmes for around 350,000 students, media centre, academic schools, study centres, overseas educational activities, and regional and sub-regional centres.

Dr Siddiqur also sought the President’s cooperation in transforming BOU into a modern university.

The President said BOU has an important role to play in providing education and skills development opportunities to marginalised and working people, homemakers, students who have dropped out of formal education and people living in remote areas.

The VC invited the President to attend the university’s convocation, scheduled to be held next year.

President Fakhrul accepted the invitation and assured the delegation of necessary cooperation for the overall development of the university and improvement of the quality of education.

Secretaries to the President and senior officials concerned were present at the meeting.