Language proficiency, technical skills key to Bangladesh's trillion-dollar economy: Bobby Hajjaj

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj today (10 October) said Bangladesh's economic progress depended on developing skilled human resources through the combined advancement of language proficiency and technical knowledge.

"Language is not merely a means of communication; it is a vital tool for acquiring skills, exchanging knowledge and promoting social and economic progress," he said.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the award-giving ceremony of the fourth International Language League competition at North South University (NSU) in Dhaka.

The state minister stressed that skills development must receive the highest priority to achieve Bangladesh's goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy by 2034.

Bobby said language skills not only enabled people to express their thoughts but also broadened their social standing and professional opportunities.

The ability to communicate clearly and convey ideas effectively played a crucial role in education, professional life and career advancement, he added.

He emphasised that language education should go beyond examination results and serve as a practical tool for communication and skills development.

Referring to China's experience, the state minister said enriching scientific and academic terminology in the national language and creating opportunities to acquire knowledge in that language were important for developing a country's skills and capabilities.

Bangladesh, he said, needed to expand scientific and technological learning in the mother tongue while strengthening proficiency in international languages.

"Such efforts would enhance the country's capacity for knowledge exchange, international communication and global trade," he said.

Bobby reiterated that developing skilled human resources was essential to realising Bangladesh's ambition of becoming a trillion-dollar economy by 2034.

He called for expanding opportunities to acquire technical knowledge, communication skills and proficiency in internationally important languages, including English and Chinese.

The state minister also urged the country to build on young people's achievements in language learning as a foundation for broader skills development. He called on universities to play a more active role in the process.

The programme was chaired by NSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abdul Hannan Chowdhury.

NSU Board of Trustees member Benajir Ahmed, the cultural counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, and teachers and students from various educational institutions were also present.