If we are indeed to build Smart Bangladesh in less than two decades and become a prosperous, high-income economy driven by technological advancement, the progress we make with regard to ICT will be one of the driving factors.
While Digital Bangladesh has done wonders for Bangladesh in terms of bringing digitization to the mainstream, the reality is that when it comes to overall ICT skills, particularly with regard to computer programming and coding, we are still playing catch up.
To that end, it is good to see that we are recognizing this need within the nation and are also doing something about it with Project Code, which is the first international coding bootcamp in Bangladesh and is an exclusive joint venture of Digital Bridge and Codeworks, Europe's premier coding bootcamp.
What was most impressive was hearing Deputy Minister of Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Noufel admit that there has been a lacking with regard to providing training and guidance needed to deliver international standards when it comes to ICT jobs; it is only when we are able to admit to our shortcomings first and acknowledge a need will we even begin to start devising solutions.
Also notable has been the slow scaling of the project, with only 20-25 students having yet enrolled in the program, and the fact that they are cognizant of needing women to join in as well. The need for upskilling cuts across the entirety of our future generation, and it is only when forward-thinking initiatives such as Project Code allow for a level-playing field will we be able to equip tomorrow's leaders with the skills they require to bring us closer to Smart Bangladesh.
