PM pushes for mandatory industry-academia linkage to address graduate unemployment

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (7 June) stressed the need for mandatory internships, apprenticeships and stronger industry-academia collaboration to make higher education more job-oriented and reduce unemployment among graduates.

"Many graduates remain unemployed despite completing higher education. One of the main reasons, many believe, is that while students earn academic qualifications, they often fail to acquire the practical, applied and technological skills," he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while inaugurating a national training programme, titled "Inclusion of Skills-Based Education in National University Curriculum", at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.

Considering the situation, he said, the government wants to take effective steps to expand apprenticeship and internship opportunities and strengthen collaboration between universities and industries to make higher education more practical and relevant to the needs of the job market.

"To make the higher education system more technology-driven and employment-oriented, greater coordination between universities and the industrial sector, as well as mandatory internship and industry-academia linkage programmes, are now the demand of the time," Tarique Rahman said.

The programme was organised by the National University as part of its initiative to train 12,000 college teachers across the country in vocational and technical education.

Highlighting the importance of developing skilled human resources, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh could emerge as a global role model if its youth and student population are transformed into a workforce equipped with knowledge, science and technology-based skills.

"The day is not far when Bangladesh can become a prosperous and self-reliant nation if we succeed in building a skilled generation," he said.

Addressing young people, Tarique Rahman urged them to prepare themselves for the challenges of a rapidly changing world through education, skills and character building.

He encouraged students to acquire technological knowledge while remaining committed to the country's long-standing religious, social and moral values.

The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of learning foreign languages, saying proficiency in a third language alongside Bangla and English will significantly enhance employment opportunities both at home and abroad.

He said the government is committed to building a knowledge-based and merit-based state and society where education, research, creativity, competence and innovation receive the highest priority.

Tarique Rahman called upon teachers, educationists and students to work together for national development, describing it as a collective endeavour rather than the responsibility of any single institution or individual.

"The government expects cooperation from universities, teachers, students, parents, civil society and the industrial sector in this journey," he said.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the country's progress will remain unstoppable if all stakeholders work in unity.

"Let us build an employment-oriented education system that will not only award certificates but also create skilled human resources. It will transform our population into productive assets," he said.

Tarique Rahman also said education should not merely produce job seekers but should also nurture entrepreneurs. "It should serve not only as a driver of economic growth but also as a foundation for social transformation, accelerating national prosperity beyond individual or group interests."

The Prime Minister formally inaugurated the training programme by pressing a button on a laptop around 11:25am.

During the programme, National University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ASM Amanullah and other teachers presented him with a commemorative crest and a sapling.

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Prime Minister's Adviser on Education, and Primary and Mass Education Minister Mahdi Amin and Amanullah also addressed the programme.

Officials said students under the revised curriculum will receive training in freelancing, entrepreneurship development, digital marketing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science.

The initiative is expected to strengthen employment-oriented education and enhance the competitiveness of graduates at home and abroad.