Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Wednesday said that optimum importance will be given to research, innovation, modern technology, infrastructure development and technical education, aiming to advance the textile sector, one of the main driving forces of the country’s economy.
He said, "There is no alternative to producing skilled textile engineers and researchers to take Bangladesh to the top position in global competition.”
The education minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the orientation programme of the new students of Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX).
He also said that the students of BUTEX will lead the country in the future.
He added, "This year, about 20 students of BUTEX have been recommended for various cadres of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS), especially in the administration, foreign affairs and police cadres.”
In addition, Milon mentioned, "Former students of BUTEX are showing leadership at home and abroad.”
“Bangladesh is currently the world’s second-largest exporter of ready-made garments,” he further mentioned.
“It is a matter of pride to see ‘Made in Bangladesh’ written on the clothes of various international brands abroad,” he continued.
However, the minister said again that international quality brands need to be created in the domestic market as well, and for this, innovative capacity needs to be enhanced.
He told the students that they would lead this future innovation.
Milon added that textile engineering is basically a science-based field, so establishing modern research laboratories, especially artificial intelligence (AI)-run labs in this sector, is the demand of time.
“More funds will be allocated to ensure high-quality research in the textile university,” he further added.
The education minister said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is giving top priority to education, especially technical and engineering education.
“One of the government’s goals is to transform the country’s large population into human resources,” he said, adding that even though the population of the developed world is decreasing, the Bangladeshi population is an important resource, which needs to be turned into skilled manpower.
Milon said, "If there is a need to expand the infrastructure of the textile university, the government will build a new building there.”
“Although only 650 students are currently enrolled to the university, there is a need to increase the number of seats in the future,” he said.
The minister said, "In the past, foreigners, especially Indian and Sri Lankan citizens, used to play important roles in many textile industries and buy houses in the country.”
However, he said, “Bangladeshi students are not lagging behind in any way in terms of talent, and that is why domestic engineers and skilled manpower need to be developed to manage the country’s textile sector.”
He mentioned again that the government is working to develop students as skilled and modern citizens from primary education onwards.
“Mid-day meals, uniforms, and sports-based joyful education are being introduced in primary schools," he said.
He said, "The importance of technical education is being increased from the sixth grade, and a revised national curriculum will be implemented in 2027 and a new national curriculum will be implemented in 2028.”
Milon said, "The government is giving importance to eliminating session jams to reduce time wastage in the education system.”
“The government is planning to establish two specialised government colleges to increase the opportunities for higher education for diploma engineers. Their higher education opportunities are limited, and the cost of studying in private universities is very high, so the government is taking initiatives in this regard,” the minister continued.
The BUTEX vice-chancellor, teachers, students and officials were present.
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