Of the many assets that Bangladesh possesses, a large youth population is certainly one that is crucial in propelling our economy further forward.
It is unfortunate, therefore, that our youth population has, thus far, not been utilized to its full potential; in fact, youth unemployment has remained a vexing issue in our country for the longest time.
This is in large part owing to the quality of education provided in our country, which is ineptly focused on providing mass education, and overlooks the honing of skills required in the current job market.
These concerns were recently raised by the deputy education minister at a Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University-organized international seminar. The deputy minister reiterated the need for quality specialized education to ensure that students are better prepared to become future leaders of the nation.
We cannot agree more.
By directing their attention solely towards general education, universities can only produce large numbers of graduates with skill-sets that can be considered mediocre at best, making them unsuitable for a highly competitive job market.
Higher education institutions ought to rethink their vision, and elevate the quality of education they provide in order to match the demands of the job market.
Our youth need to be provided with the appropriate training that will not only elevate their skills, but will also assist them in making a name for themselves on the global stage.
The young generation represents our future, and a lot of what lies ahead for our nation depends on how well prepared our future leaders are. Failing to equip them with the right skills and education is a disservice to not only our youth, but to our country as a whole.
