Education must match labour market needs: Khosru

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said the BNP government implemented the largest-ever budget for the education sector in the country.

He stressed the need for a quality and future-oriented education system as a key foundation for economic development, calling for greater emphasis on practical education, skills development and alignment with international standards in higher education.

Khosru said the country’s education system must be more closely aligned with real-life needs and the demands of domestic and international labour markets. He stressed the importance of demand-driven education and easier credit transfer opportunities for students after completing their studies.

He made the remarks while attending a two-day national policy dialogue for vice-chancellors organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) at BRAC CDM in Khagan, Birulia, Savar, on Friday morning (August 21).

The dialogue, organised under the UGC’s Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project, brought together 60 vice-chancellors from public and private universities, along with policymakers, senior government officials, academics and experts.

Discussions focused on the challenges and future priorities of Bangladesh’s higher education sector, including the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, changing labour markets, education quality, accountability and global competitiveness.

Participants stressed the need to make universities more innovative, well-governed and accountable to respond effectively to these emerging challenges.

Education Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Mahdi Amin, UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed and other officials attended the event.