ED: Building our IT capacity for the future

In this ever-changing world, and with the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is integral that Bangladesh does not get left behind when it comes to acquiring the necessary skills that will be relevant in the future.

To that end, software and IT skills are going to be the most important sector to consider, and it is encouraging to see that the Bangladesh government is being pro-active about this, by building another software technology park in the capital in its bid to develop more skilled IT professionals.

Additionally, there are also plans for research centres focusing on the Fourth Industrial Revolution to be established at universities, for conducting research on big data analytics, artificial intelligence, robotics, and blockchain technologies -- another forward thinking, progressive idea.

However, as with any and every idea or plan, it is one thing to conceive them, and another to strategically implement them. Unless taken seriously by every-one involved, and ensuring that the work put in to ensure these plans and ideas materialize into implementation, these add little value and join the long list of plans that do not make it to the implementation stage.

Therefore, while the progressive thinking of the government must be applauded, it is equally if not more important to monitor the progress of these initiatives, and make sure that we are on track with them. The 21st century requires a certain skill set, and for Bangladesh, the time is now to invest and develop its capacity to be future-ready.