PM calls for greater focus on research, innovation in universities

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (12 May) urged universities to move beyond traditional academic teaching and place greater emphasis on research and innovation to remain competitive in the modern world.

"If universities do not focus on research and innovation alongside textbook education, it will be difficult for us to survive in a competitive world," he said while speaking at the inaugural session of a workshop at Dhaka University.

The prime minister said Bangladesh's universities have yet to achieve the expected position in global rankings in education, research and knowledge excellence.

"Global university rankings usually place greater importance on research publications, citations and innovation. Our academics should think more deeply about where we stand in these areas," he said.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) organised the day-long workshop, titled 'Transforming Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap to Sustainable Excellence' at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban at Dhaka University.

The workshop included five technical sessions on higher education reform and future challenges.

Referring to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the prime minister said technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, biotechnology, cybersecurity, quantum computing and big data are transforming both employment and society.

He warned that while technology is reducing traditional job opportunities, it is also creating new forms of employment.

"To face the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and enter new employment markets, we must move away from a memorisation- and certificate-based education system," Tarique said.

He stressed the need to redesign the country's conventional education system in line with modern technological demands.

The prime minister also called for stronger collaboration between universities and industries and said industrial demands should be incorporated into curriculum development.

He said the government has already started work to modernise the national curriculum from the primary level to higher education, focusing on practical and employment-oriented learning.

Highlighting unemployment among graduates, Tarique said many educated youths remain jobless because they fail to acquire practical skills alongside academic qualifications.

He said the government has taken steps to expand apprenticeship, internship and industry-academia collaboration to help students gain practical experience while studying.

Initially, universities in divisional cities are being linked with local educational and business institutions under the initiative, the prime minister added.

He also said the government has introduced plans for seed funding and innovation grants to commercialise innovative business ideas at colleges and universities.

"The aim is to create entrepreneurs from campuses," Tarique said, adding that skilled students may become job creators instead of job seekers.

He said the government is also planning to establish innovation and entrepreneurship development institutes and science parks at higher educational institutions.

Referring to global technology-based companies such as Uber, Facebook, Alibaba and Airbnb, the prime minister said innovative ideas and smart interfaces are reshaping the global economy.

He also encouraged universities to involve alumni in supporting education, research and innovation activities.

"Students are the life of a university, while alumni are its backbone," Tarique said.

The prime minister said the government wants to build a knowledge and merit-based society where education, research, creativity and competence receive the highest priority.

"We want to build an education system where every student gets the opportunity to develop their potential," he said.

Tarique also urged all sections of society to remain vigilant so that technological advancement does not weaken the country's long-standing religious, social and moral values.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon, the Prime Minister's Education Adviser Mahdi Amin, Education Secretary Abdul Khaleq and UGC Secretary Fakhrul Islam also spoke at the event, chaired by UGC Chairman Prof Mamun Ahmed.

Prof Mamun Ahmed later presented a crest to the prime minister on behalf of the UGC.