DHAKA, Nov 18, 2023 (BSS) - Speakers at a discussion today put emphasis on establishing a bridge between educational institutions and the private sector to develop skilled human resources in the country in line with global needs.

Bangladesh will be deprived of the benefits of demographic dividend if human resources are not developed according to the needs of the industry, they said, adding that it will be difficult to achieve the goals of transforming the country into 'Developed Bangladesh' by 2041 including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the FBCCI Innovation and Research Centre (FIRC) organized the discussion titled 'Public-Private Academia Bridging for Skill Development' at the FIRC in the city, said a press release.

Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs at the PMO Md Akhter Hossain presided over the discussion, while FIRC Chairman and former FBCCI President Md Zasim Uddin was present as co-chair of the event.
 
Akhter Hossain said it's true that graduates are getting higher degrees, but they can't speak English properly.
 
"Due to lack of knowledge and skills, they are not able to establish themselves as entrepreneurs and also do not get jobs with respectable wages," he added.

Akhter called for strengthening the joint efforts of the government, private sector and educational institutions to create skilled manpower.

Zasim Uddin said, "We should not create only workers. We have to build skilled manager to achieve the graduation from LDC status to developing one, SDGs and building a developed country by 2041". 

"We need to enhance our negotiation skills to maintain business expansion and economic growth in the future," he added.

The FIRC chairman said that the FBCCI Innovation and Research Centre will create the field so that students and entrepreneurs get the opportunity to carry out innovative, developmental and research works.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Senior Vice-President Md Amin Helaly and FIRC Senior Vice-Chairman Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu spoke at the event, among others.