Finance minister urges linking higher education with jobs, entrepreneurship
The minister also calls for stronger university-industry collaboration, industry-linked research, and academic programmes tailored to regional and labour market demands.
Highlights:
- Higher education must match jobs and entrepreneurship
- Calls for stronger university-industry links
- Urges industry-focused university research
- New universities should meet regional needs
- Calls for transparent annual reporting
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has urged authorities to consider employment potential, priority sectors and entrepreneurship opportunities when approving new universities or introducing new departments and subjects.
The University Grants Commission chairman has been advised against recommending universities without proper planning, the minister said while speaking at a two-day vice-chancellors' dialogue organised under the UGC's Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation project at BRAC CDM in Savar today (21 August).
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"Higher education should not be limited to earning certificates. One of its key objectives should be to prepare students for employment and entrepreneurship," he said.
Khosru said increasing education allocations alone would not be enough unless funds are used effectively and transparently. Investments should produce measurable improvements in education quality, research and students' skills.
The government is working to gradually raise education spending to 5% of GDP in the coming years, he said.
Emphasising university-industry collaboration, the minister said universities should conduct research to solve real-world problems faced by businesses and industries. The private sector should finance university research and help commercialise its findings.
Education and Primary and Mass Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin said university curricula should be regularly updated to meet domestic and international labour market needs.
He suggested short employment-focused courses to develop students' communication, technology, language, problem-solving, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
UGC Chairman Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed said changes to curricula, teaching and assessment systems were needed to narrow the gap between graduates and employers' demand for skilled workers.
The UGC is preparing a five-year strategic plan for sustainable transformation in higher education, he said.
