Savar, Aug 21 (V7N) – North South University (NSU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abdul Hannan Chowdhury today said Bangladesh must ensure greater opportunities for its young population and strengthen university-industry collaboration to move towards a trillion-dollar economy, warning that neglecting education would hinder economic progress.
He was speaking at a question-and-answer session moderated by UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed at the ‘Vice-Chancellors' Dialogue: Shaping the Future of Higher Education’, a two-day national policy dialogue organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) at BRAC CDM in Savar.
“I am working on campus projects with the industry support of eight foreign companies. I see that it is possible to bring not only local industries but also foreign industries into the country if we take appropriate steps,” he said.
Addressing Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Professor Hannan said the Finance Ministry should recognise the importance of investment in education alongside industry in the country's journey towards a trillion-dollar economy.
“The universities can take us towards a trillion-dollar economy only if you can do what is necessary to provide more facilities to the young generation of Bangladesh in education,” he said.
He said the young population must not be deprived of opportunities in education if the country wants to achieve its economic aspirations. “We have to create opportunities for our young people in education. They cannot be left behind in this process,” he said.
He urged the Finance Ministry not to focus solely on industrial development while keeping education behind, saying sustainable economic growth would require simultaneous investment in both sectors. “If the Finance Ministry thinks it will move forward only with industries and keep education behind, then the economy will not be able to move forward as expected,” he said.
Education and Primary and Mass Education Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Mahdi Amin, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khalek, former UGC Chairman Professor Dr S M A Faiz, and vice-chancellors of public and private universities, among others, attended the programme.
The two-day dialogue has brought together vice-chancellors of around 65 public and private universities, policymakers, academics and experts to discuss strategic leadership and governance, quality teaching and assessment, research and innovation, university-industry collaboration, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
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