PM Tarique Rahman Inaugurates National Workshop on Higher Education Reform

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated a three-day national workshop today, Tuesday (May 12), aimed at overhauling the country’s tertiary education sector. Titled “Transforming Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap to Sustainable Excellence,” the event began at 10:00 AM at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University.

The Prime Minister formally opened the proceedings at 11:00 AM. The inaugural ceremony commenced with recitations from the Holy Quran and other religious scriptures, followed by a one-minute silence observed in solemn memory of the martyrs of the July uprising.

In his keynote address, the Prime Minister emphasized that for Bangladesh to remain competitive in the 21st century, its universities must transition from traditional rote learning to a focus on innovation and high-impact research. He highlighted the need for internationalization and the importance of aligning academic output with global labor market demands.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed presided over the session and presented a commemorative crest to the Prime Minister on behalf of the commission. The event also featured Education Minister A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milan and the Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Mahdi Amin as special guests.

The workshop brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including vice-chancellors from both public and private universities, researchers, diplomats, members of parliament, and industry leaders. Over the next three days, five critical technical sessions will address the following areas:

1. Graduate Employability and Soft Skills: Focusing on demand-driven education to bridge the gap between academic degrees and job market requirements.

2. Industry-Academia Collaboration: Discussing strategies to foster partnerships between universities and the private sector to enhance global competitiveness.

3. Digital Transformation and AI: Exploring the integration of artificial intelligence and enhancing digital literacy across campuses.

4. Research and Faculty Development: Prioritizing institutional research excellence, faculty training, and the internationalization of higher education.

5. Governance and Quality Assurance: Addressing institutional reforms and ensuring transparency in university administration.

According to the UGC, the primary objective of this workshop is to gather expert recommendations to formulate a practical policy roadmap. This document will serve as a guiding framework for the government to enhance the quality of higher education and develop a workforce that is internationally competitive.

The Commission expects that the outcomes of these discussions will play a pivotal role in shaping future plans and policy directions for the entire higher education sector in Bangladesh.