UGC plans workshop to improve madrasa education, employment prospects

Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Member Professor Dr Abdullah-al-Mamun said the government is taking multifaceted initiatives to eliminate workplace discrimination against madrasa students and ensure equal opportunities and employment for them.

He made the remarks as chief guest at a discussion and prayer programme organised by Islamic Arabic University at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka on Tuesday morning to observe "July Martyrs' Day 2026", according to a press release. The event was attended by invited guests and university officials.

Professor Dr Abdullah-al-Mamun said the UGC would hold a workshop this month with madrasa principals, students, and education experts to develop a practical roadmap to improve the quality and employment orientation of madrasa education.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring that female students and heads of women's educational institutions participate in the workshop.

Calling on madrasa students to become entrepreneurs rather than merely seeking jobs, he encouraged them to engage more in information technology, digital skills, research and innovation.

He said steps were being taken to complete the recruitment process swiftly for various posts, including the long-vacant dean's position at Islamic Arabic University.

Professor Dr Abdullah-al-Mamun said the current government was working relentlessly to restructure the country's education, economy and social systems.

He said madrasa students must play an important role in building a new Bangladesh by developing into skilled human resources as part of the country's development journey.

He expressed hope that madrasa students would play a leading role in shaping post-July Bangladesh as skilled, creative, technology-oriented and patriotic citizens.

In his keynote address, Islamic Arabic University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Abu Zafar Khan said the martyrs of the July Uprising had inspired the nation to build a non-discriminatory, democratic and humane Bangladesh.

He said Islamic Arabic University was working tirelessly to develop madrasa students into modern human resources by equipping them with moral values, contemporary knowledge, information technology skills and employment-oriented education.

The university was also implementing initiatives to improve the quality of education at its affiliated madrasas by expanding education, research, technology and skills-based activities, he added.

The event's special guests were Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Mohammad Ilias Siddiqui, Treasurer Shahinul Islam, International Mother Language Institute Director Professor Dr Md Asaduzzaman, Registrar (Additional Responsibilities) Professor Dr AK Muha Nurul Islam and Government Madrasa E-Alia Dhaka Principal Professor Mohammad Obaidul Haque.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr Mohammad Shahidul Islam presided over the discussion and prayer programme, while Deputy Registrar Fahad Ahmed Momtaji moderated it.

The participants paid deep tribute to the students and members of the public killed during the July 2024 mass uprising and quota reform movement. Prayers were offered for the eternal peace of the martyrs and the recovery of those injured.

Also present were Madrasa Inspector (Retd) Professor Dr Muhammad Golam Rabbani; Finance and Accounts Department Director Md Abubakar Siddique; Director (Planning and Development) and Project Director (Additional Responsibilities) Professor Md Nawser Ali; and Deputy Director (Planning and Development) Md Ziaur Rahman.

Teachers, officials and employees of the university, as well as principals, teachers and students from various affiliated Fazil and Kamil madrasas in Dhaka Division, also attended.