Bangladesh’s ambitions to become a digital nation may have seen the light of day; yet, it has set its sights on becoming an innovative and knowledge-based economy in the next two decades.
To that end, the fact that we jumped 14 spots in the Global Innovation Index is testament to the prioritization of the authorities concerned in achieving our goals. Furthermore, it is certainly encouraging to hear State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak stating that the ICT division’s next vision is to create a smart generation.
And yet, the fact that we are only ranked 102 out of 132 countries in the Global Innovation Index despite the 14 spot jump means that we have some ways to go before we are truly competing with developed nations and even middle-income ones.
One vital approach to bridging this gap will be for our future generation to be equipped with the right skills; equipping them with problem-solving and research skills rank very high as far as required skills are concerned to take Bangladesh to greater heights.
There is no doubting the immense potential our future generation have; too often, we have seen Bangladesh lose its brightest minds to other nations, where they have achieved wonders, but unfortunately, without their achievements benefitting Bangladesh.
Thus, in addition to upskilling our leaders of tomorrow, we must continue to build a climate that will encourage these brightest minds to no longer feel the need to leave the country in order to fulfil their potential.
Bangladesh’s ambitions will not be easy to achieve and the last thing we want is to join the list of countries who have fallen into the middle-income trap.
If we are to avoid this and become the high-income, equitable nation we wish to be, we must simultaneously retain our best talent and equip them with the right tools and skills befitting a 21st century modern economy.
