China's education experience can aid Bangladesh's development: Milon
China cooperation spans skills, technology and higher education reform.
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has stressed the need to draw on China's experience for Bangladesh's development.
"China's education and development model can play an important role in Bangladesh's progress in areas including technical and vocational education and training, artificial intelligence, industry-academia collaboration and the blue economy," he said while addressing "Dhaka China Day 2026" at East West University in the capital today (24 September).
China's experience should be used to develop the country's young people into skilled human resources, Milon said.
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He said Bangladesh's large young population was a major opportunity and that efforts were underway to equip them with the skills needed for employment and national development.
"We are also following China's experience in building stronger links between industries and educational institutions," he added.
The education minister said Dhaka Polytechnic Institute was being developed as a model based on China's experience.
Similar work was under way to improve Chandpur Polytechnic Institute, he said.
"We should use China's experience in promising sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, green technology, modern transport, robotics and the blue economy," he added.
Milon said the government plans to develop Bangladesh as an "education hub" and is working to introduce cross-border education.
"We are also working with international educational institutions to make higher education more relevant and improve its quality," he said.
The minister also said Bangladesh needs to increase investment to encourage students who go abroad for higher education to return.
"The country must reverse the trend of brain drain by utilising its talented students and developing human resources," he said.
Bangladesh signed several memorandums of understanding with China on vocational and technical training during Milon's recent visit to China, he added.
Milon also stressed introducing a third language alongside Bangla and English.
"China has expressed interest in supporting third-language education at universities and other educational institutions in Bangladesh," he said.
The government is increasing investment in education and carrying out reforms from primary to tertiary levels, including curriculum changes, improvements in primary education, stronger oversight of universities and efforts to strengthen accreditation, he added.
Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen said young people could help take Bangladesh-China relations further and that China would continue supporting Bangladesh's education and development.
East West University Board of Trustees Chairman Prof Mohammed Farashuddin also spoke at the event, while Vice-Chancellor Prof Shams Rahman delivered the welcome remarks.
