During a trade dialogue held at the Ministry of Commerce on February 17, the UK envoy to Bangladesh announced that at least nine British universities are keen on coming to Bangladesh and opening their campuses. "They can provide world-class education, especially in technology and management, the areas that are most needed in the industries in Bangladesh," the High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson said. In all probability, the high commissioner is testing the water. He knows that the opening of international branches is a contested issue, and he has not heard anything from the University Grants Commission in this regard. Also, while as a diplomat he can mediate the process, he knows all too well that the opening of campuses needs to be institution-driven, not government driven. The universities concerned need to approach the Bangladesh government for any such venture.