DHAKA, June 7, (V7N)– Prime Minister's Adviser on Education, Primary and Mass Education and spokesperson at the Prime Minister's Office Mahdi Amin has announced that the National University (NU) will be transformed into one of the country's leading centres for producing skilled human resources, fostering innovation and developing responsible citizens. He made the remarks as special guest at the inauguration of a teacher training programme on "Skill-Based Education" in the NU curriculum at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally inaugurating the programme.

Mahdi Amin stated that the National University, as the country's largest higher education network, will no longer remain merely a degree-awarding institution but will evolve into a leading hub of knowledge, modern training, skills development, and nation-building. He said the government is committed to making higher education more employment-oriented, skill-based, and relevant to real-life needs instead of remaining certificate-centric.

The adviser outlined several initiatives, including expansion of vocational and technical education, introduction of career centres and job placement services, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, increasing apprenticeship opportunities, establishing language centres, and promoting third-language learning. Other programmes include "Learning with Happiness," the "One Student, One Tree" campaign, and various environment-friendly activities.

Highlighting the significance of the National University, Mahdi Amin noted it is the world's second-largest university by enrolment, with more than 30 lakh students studying at its 2,285 affiliated colleges across the country. He said over 400,000 female students enrolled this year alone, reflecting progress in women's empowerment. Transforming the university, he added, is not merely institutional reform but a movement aimed at improving education, employment opportunities, and livelihoods of millions of families.

Recalling the university's establishment in 1992 under former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, the adviser said the present government is determined to rebuild the education sector and produce technologically skilled, competent citizens. Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon and NU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A.S.M. Amanullah also spoke at the event, which was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor.

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