DHAKA, Aug 22, 2025 (BSS) - The South Asian University (SAU), a flagship initiative of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), convened its thirteenth governing board meeting virtually, with participation from governing board representatives of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, alongside a representative of the SAARC secretariat and SAU office bearers.

Minister of State for Higher Education, Ahmed Shafeeu from the esteemed Government of Maldives, presided over the meeting and officially called it to order, said a SAARC Secretariat press release here today. 

The governing board undertook a detailed review of the proposed budget for the upcoming year, engaging in comprehensive deliberations on resource allocation and financial planning to support the University's growth. 

Members also underscored the urgency of releasing outstanding contributions from Member States to ensure the smooth functioning of SAU.

Presenting his report, Prof Aggarwal, President of SAU, outlined the initiatives undertaken since assuming office and shared his reform agenda for the years ahead. While acknowledging constraints that may affect implementation, he reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the University's academic profile, institutional resilience, and overall contribution to regional cooperation.

The governing board also discussed future priorities, placing particular emphasis on expanding academic programmes, and reinforcing SAU's role as a hub for regional collaboration. It was further decided that the Chairmanship for the next Governing Board Meeting will pass on to the Government of Sri Lanka.

As SAARC's Centre of Excellence, SAU continues to serve as a unique hub for learning, research, and creativity for the citizens of South Asia. 

With five faculties and seven departments, the University currently offers Master's and PhD programmes to around 1500 students, supported by 70 distinguished faculty members from across the region and beyond. Since its establishment, SAU has educated nearly 2300 students and research fellows, making a significant contribution to knowledge generation and people-to-people connectivity in the region.