Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday stressed the importance of building "educated and skilled manpower" which will lead Bangladesh towards economic emancipation and help develop it socially and culturally.
"We want educated and skilled manpower which will be able to give us economic emancipation, and help develop the country socially and culturally and take it forward to a dignified position," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the above during an award ceremony held at Prime Minister's Office. She distributed the prestigious Prime Minister Gold Medal for 2015 and 2016 under the auspices of University Grants Commission (UGC) to 265 talented students from public and private universities for their outstanding achievements in their respective faculties.
She said her government always wants to ensure education for all because education can help build a country free of hunger and poverty. "And education has to be modern and time-befitting one. With that view in mind, we're taking on various programmes."
She said the world is changing fast with the advent of newer technologies every day. "We have to move ahead with that spirit. So, it's essential to ensure modern education."
Calling today's students the future leaders of the nation, the prime minister advised them to utilize their talents, thoughts and knowledge for the welfare and development of the country.
265 talented students from public and private universities receive Prime Minister Gold Medal for 2015 and 2016 for their outstanding achievements
Focus BanglaHasina said steps have been taken to make education a multifaceted one by establishing specialized universities – such as maritime university, fashion design university, textile university and digital university – to create employment opportunities.
Besides, steps have been taken to establish medical universities in Chittagong, Rajshahi and Sylhet, and such institutions will also be established in other divisional headquarters in phases, she said.
Describing various steps taken for the expansion of higher education, the prime minister said her government has established 12 new science and technology universities in the country since 2009, while approval has been given to establish 44 new universities in the private sector.
She said the country's literacy rate has reached 72.3% following implementation of massive programmes like free textbook distribution and providing stipends, sub-stipends and financial assistance to students after her government came to power in 2009.
The prime minister said the government has provided Tk3.75 crore in 2016-17 fiscal year, through the UGC, for conducting PhD researches, postdoctoral fellowships and other research works. Besides, Tk4.50 crore was allocated for research works in FY 2017-2018.
About “Strategic Plan for Higher Education 2017-2030” recently formulated by the UGC, the prime minister said the government will take necessary measures to implement the plan.
The UGC Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan chaired the event which was also addressed by Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Md Sohrab Hossain and UGC member Prof Dr Dil Afroza Begum.
Ministers, secretaries from different ministries, former UGC chairmen, vice-chancellors from public and private universities, educationists, parents of the awardees and UGC high officials, among others, were present.
The Prime Minister Gold Medal was introduced in 2005 for talented university students of the country.
