The Bangladesh Medical Education Expo 2025, the first and largest exhibition of its kind showcasing Bangladeshi medical education in the Maldives, concluded successfully, marking a new chapter in the two countries' bilateral relations.

The expo, which took place at the Barceló Nasandhura Hotel in Malé on Sunday with assistance from the Bangladesh High Commission, is regarded as a turning point in the two countries' people-to-people interaction and education diplomacy, a press release said.

The Maldivian Minister of State for Health, Aminath Shirna, attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest, while the Minister of State for Higher Education, Labour, and Skills Development, Dr. Abdul Rahim Hassan, was present as a special guest.

The event was also attended by Bangladesh High Commissioner to the Maldives Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam, Director General of Bangladesh’s Directorate of Health and Education Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain, and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Health of Bangladesh Ms. Mallika Khatun.

Presenting details on MBBS programs, training facilities, and admissions procedures, a delegation of approximately 25 representatives from 15 private medical colleges in Bangladesh participated in the expo.

Aminath Shirna, the chief guest, expressed interest in growing future joint projects and urged Maldivian students to think about studying medicine in Bangladesh.

In his remarks, High Commissioner Dr. Nazmul Islam characterized the expo as a real-world example of education and public diplomacy, pointing out that Bangladeshi medical education provides Maldivian students with a secure, reasonably priced, and culturally appropriate setting.

Additionally, he emphasized that Bangladesh has given Maldivian students access to seven fully funded government scholarships, one of which is for dental education.

Many Maldivian students attended the expo, and Maldivian physicians who had finished their medical training in Bangladesh also spoke about their experiences.

According to the event's organizers, the growing partnership between Bangladesh and the Maldives was reinforced as it enhanced mutual trust and offered new prospects for sustained collaboration.