RAJSHAHI, April 30, 2024 (BSS)-Exporting of skilled human resources can be the crucial means of boosting foreign remittance coupled with establishing the country on a strong foundation.

Technical and vocational institutes have a vital role towards generating more skilled human resources together with enriching the country with competent workforces.

Government officials and experts made the observation while addressing a seminar titled "Role of Industry-Institute Linkage towards Building Smart Bangladesh" here today.

Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute (RPI) organized the seminar at its conference hall to mark the Technical and Vocational Week- 2024.

Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) Biplob Bijoy Talukder addressed the seminar as chief guest while RPI Principal Abdur Rashid Mallik was in the chair.

During his keynote presentation, RPI Instructor Mirajul Islam gave an illustration on the importance of industry-institute linkage for bolstering the employment generation leading to expedite the economic activities.

Prof Abdur Razzaque from the Department of Electrical and Electronics at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) and RPI Academic In-charge and Chief Instructor Rashidul Amin also spoke.

RMP Commissioner Biplob Bijoy said the present Bangladesh is now in the era of the fourth industrial revolution and competence and knowledge are the main challenges of the revolution.

He also said advancement of technical education is the precondition to attain competence.

The present government has attached priority to the technical and vocational educations for boosting the number of competent workforces.

The government under the prudent and farsighted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been expanding technical institutions to the grassroots level aimed at transforming the youths living in villages into competent workforce bringing them under the need-based technical and vocational educations.

Prof Abdur Razzaque viewed technical education as the best way of building competent and skilled human resources.

 It would be vital for substantial and sustainable growth of the national economy.

Prof Razzaque told the meeting that the government has taken a decision of implementing a project of Taka 20,000-crore for establishing technical school and college in all upazilas, polytechnic institutes in districts and high standard technical institutions in all divisional cities.

He said need-based vocational training for the female youths of poor families is very important. At the same time, post-training employment can eradicate the unemployment problem.

"We have no way but to generate more technically and technologically sound women to meet up the social demands as it is being increased gradually," he mentioned.

The entrepreneurs should come forward towards establishing small and medium industries in the region to create employment opportunities for the regional development, he added.