Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has called for aligning higher education with employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, urging authorities to consider national priorities, labour-market demand and the potential for job creation when establishing new universities or introducing new departments and subjects.
He also advised the University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman against recommending the approval of universities in an unplanned manner.
The minister made the remarks on Friday while speaking at an interaction session with higher education policymakers on the first day of a two-day vice-chancellors’ dialogue organised under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project being implemented by the UGC.
The dialogue began at BRAC CDM in Savar.
Education and Primary and Mass Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque, and eminent educationist and former UGC chairman Prof Dr S M A Faiz attended the session, among others.
National Professor Dr Mahbub Ullah, vice-chancellors of public and private universities, UGC members and other higher education stakeholders were also present.
During the question-and-answer session moderated by UGC Chairman Dr Mamun Ahmed, the minister responded to questions from vice-chancellors on challenges facing higher education, research and innovation, university-industry collaboration and graduate employment.
Amir Khasru said higher education subjects and curricula must be designed in line with the country’s economic needs and labour-market realities.
“Higher education should not be limited to obtaining certificates. One of its key objectives should be to prepare students for employment and entrepreneurship,” he said.
The minister said the government had taken initiatives to bring the country’s economy from a fragile state to stability within a short period after assuming office.
Despite economic challenges, the government has given the education sector the highest priority and significantly increased budgetary allocations, he said.
Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin said one of the main objectives of the education system should be to develop students into responsible citizens.
He stressed incorporating values, ethics and social responsibility into curricula, saying sustainable national progress would not be possible without a population with strong human values and ethical standards.
He suggested introducing short-term, employment-oriented courses to improve students’ communication, technological, language, problem-solving, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
He also recommended creating opportunities for students to learn a third language, expanding cultural and sports activities for their mental and physical development, and establishing effective career centres at universities.
UGC Chairman Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed said the number of students and higher education institutions in Bangladesh had increased significantly in recent years.
However, ensuring quality education, enhancing students’ skills and preparing them for employment remain major challenges, he said.
The UGC is preparing a five-year strategic document aimed at achieving sustainable transformation in higher education, he said, expressing hope that its successful implementation would bring visible improvements in the quality of higher education and research.
The two-day dialogue, which began Friday, brings together vice-chancellors of public and private universities to discuss improving higher education quality, governance, research and innovation, digital transformation, internationalisation, university-industry collaboration and graduate employment.
Four sessions were held on the first day, with UGC members Dr Masuma Habib and Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun, along with vice-chancellors and academics from home and abroad, taking part.