Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday inaugurated a daylong national workshop on higher education at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban in Dhaka University.
The PM inaugurated the workshop titled “Transforming Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap to Sustainable Excellence” at 11:00 am.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) organised the workshop with the aim of making the country’s higher education system more modern, inclusive and sustainable.
In this inaugural event, while addressing the PM's speech, Tarique Rahman called on the country’s universities to move beyond conventional teaching and place greater emphasis on research and innovation.
“There has been growing discussion about whether our universities are maintaining global standards in education and research. Unfortunately, the reality is that in the 21st century, our universities have yet to reach the expected level in globally recognised university rankings in terms of education, research, and academic excellence,” he said.
Noting that in global rankings, research publications, citations, and innovation are given significant importance, the PM mentioned that our educationists must think more deeply about where we stand in these areas.
“If universities do not pay attention to research and innovation alongside traditional academic learning, it will be difficult for us to survive in the present competitive world,” he added.
Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of a daylong national workshop at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban in Dhaka University on Tuesday morning.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) organised the workshop titled “Transforming Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap to Sustainable Excellence” with the aim of making the country’s higher education system more modern, inclusive and sustainable.
Stating that the world has now entered the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Tarique said, “In this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, Internet of Things, genetic engineering, biotechnology, cybersecurity, quantum computing, industrial big data, material science, nanotechnology and fifth-generation wireless technology are, on the one hand, controlling our world of thought. On the other hand, they are ruling people’s workplace or employment.”
“As a result, the use of new technologies is on the one hand increasing unemployment in the traditional job market and on the other hand creating new employment opportunities,” he added.
To meet the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and enter new job markets, we must move away from a memorisation-based, certificate-focused education system. We have to reshape our traditional education system according to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Tarique Rahman further added.
He signified that in the current world, technology-based education is not only essential for personal development but also a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and international competitiveness.
Noting that in the current world, education is no longer confined within schools, colleges, or universities, he stated, “Today, the practice of knowledge is not limited to a specific subject. Rather, we see the combination of data science with biology, or engineering with sociology. Therefore, the boundaries of knowledge are constantly expanding and being dynamic. It is important for us to stay closely connected to the nature of this pace of change."
-6a60a39f1f971.jpg "Outgoing Navy chief meets PM at Secretariat")
