End academic bureaucracy and tax burden on private universities

 North South University (NSU), in collaboration with the Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF), is hosting the National Education and Innovation Dialogue 2025 today (Tuesday) in the Main Auditorium and Syndicate Hall.

This event serves as a platform for thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore transformative ideas and reimagine the future of education and innovation in Bangladesh.

The dialogue was inaugurated by Chief Guest Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Honourable Adviser to the Ministry of Education and Planning, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Professor SMA Faiz, Chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, was the Special Guest.

Following this, a plenary session titled Future of Education for an Innovative Nation was held, featuring a distinguished panel including Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor of North South University; Professor Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice Chancellor, BRAC University; Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice Chancellor, Jahangirnagar University; Iftakharul (Ifty) Islam, Founder & Chairman of Asian Tiger Capital Partners; and Shariful Islam, Founder and Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum.

Chief Guest Professor SMA Faiz, the University Grants Commission Chairman, said, "Budget and education are essential for driving innovation. The UGC is also committed to supporting private universities with their PhD programs. A hybrid model between public and private universities can be the way forward."

Special Guest Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Adviser to the Ministry of Education, highlighted the importance of addressing systemic challenges in higher education, stating, "Our education system must evolve to equip students with the skills needed for the future."

Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor of North South University, stated, "The global perspective on higher education is advancing rapidly, but our education system remains far behind global standards. We must integrate technology into the curriculum to keep up. Additionally, private universities should not face taxation but instead, be supported to contribute effectively to national progress."

Professor Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice Chancellor of BRAC University, said, "Students should be the focus of knowledge creation. Unfortunately, we are not fostering this within them. We must eliminate academic bureaucracy and encourage foreign universities to operate here to increase competition. At the same time, national universities should not be neglected—they should specialise in specific fields to better serve the nation."

Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, remarked, "We need to focus on producing skilled graduates by incorporating vocational courses into our curriculum. Beyond technical skills, values such as virtue and honesty are also essential for personal and professional growth."

Iftakharul (Ifty) Islam, Founder & Chairman of Asian Tiger Capital Partners, said, "Three critical challenges for fostering an innovation ecosystem are the lack of opportunity, wealth disparity, and the absence of a democratic voice. As we navigate an era of rapid AI innovation, Bangladesh must position itself to remain globally competitive by leveraging the potential of its youth population."

Shariful Islam, Founder and managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum, said, "Education should help individuals unlock their potential and enable us to rise collectively as a nation. Building a better country begins with ensuring that education remains a fundamental right for everyone."

In the closing ceremony, Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, addressed, "Innovation cannot be ignored. Even small innovations can have a significant impact on the economy. We have educated young people who need to find a way out through the economic system and contribute to the country's growth on a global scale."

The first panel discussion, Unlocking Bangladesh's Startup Ecosystem, addressed the challenges and opportunities faced by startups in the country. Moderated by Samuel Mursalin, Director in charge of NSU Startups Next (NSUSN), the session featured Sadia Haque, Founder and CEO of ShareTrip; Sylvana Quader Sinha, Founder and CEO of Praava Health; Professor Md. Shazzad Hosain, Dean, School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, NSU, and Bijon Islam, Co-founder & CEO of LightCastle Partners. Session Special Guest Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Policy Adviser for ICT Coordination and Reform, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, highlighted government initiatives supporting the startup ecosystem. Panelists discussed the need for improved access to funding, mentorship programs, and regulatory support to create a thriving startup environment in Bangladesh.

The second panel, Private Sector Innovation: Drivers of Sustainable Growth, emphasized the critical role of the private sector in fostering innovation and driving economic progress. Moderated by Shariful Islam, Founder and MD of Bangladesh Brand Forum, the session included Farzanah Chowdhury, CEO of Green Delta Insurance; Sam Samdani, Founder & CEO of BQ Alpha Inc.; Razi Amin, Partner of Aspen Capital Solutions LLC.; and Rahat Ahmed, CEO, Anchorless Bangladesh. Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration between industries and policymakers, integrating advanced technologies, and cultivating a corporate culture prioritising innovation.

In the third panel, Skills Development and Building an AI-Driven Knowledge-Economy, experts explored how Bangladesh can build a workforce prepared for an AI-driven future. Led by Iftakharul Islam, the discussion included Dr Syed Muntasir Mamun, Chief Innovation Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Sabbir Nasir, Managing Director, ACI Logistics Limited; Mohammed Oli Ahad, Managing Director, Intelligent Machines; Professor Dr. M. Rokonuzzaman, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, NSU; and Mohammed Ferdous Yusuf, Chief Human Resources Officer, bKash Limited. Panelists emphasised revising curricula, fostering public-private partnerships, and investing in AI research and training to maintain global competitiveness in the digital age.

The fourth panel, Social Innovation and Women Entrepreneurship celebrated the contributions of women entrepreneurs and innovators to society. Moderated by Professor Nazlee Siddiqui, Director of MBA/EMBA Programs at NSU, the session featured inspiring speakers such as Breity Sabrin Khan, Co-Founder and CEO of The Marvel – Be You; Afsana Asif Shoma, Founder of ASIX Bangladesh; Meriame Y, Consultant, Unitas Global Advisory; Muzahid Khan, Managing Director, Janala Ventura; and Professor Sharif Nurul Ahkam, Department of Accounting & Finance, NSU. The discussion focused on overcoming gender-based barriers, building supportive ecosystems for female entrepreneurs, and effectively using innovation to address social challenges.

The final panel, Innovation Financing: Enabling Growth Through Financial Support, explored the financial mechanisms needed to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. Chaired by Dr Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, the session featured Minhaz Anwar, Chief Storyteller, BetterStories; Muddassar Ahmed, Managing Partner, Unitas Communications; and Nawshad Mustafa, Director (SMESPD), Bangladesh Bank. Discussions highlighted the importance of venture capital, impact investing, and the creation of accessible funding channels to support startups and innovators.

The event concluded with closing remarks by Iftakharul Islam, Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, and Shariful Islam, summarizing the discussions and emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to build an innovation-driven nation. Supported by leading knowledge and industry partners, National Education and Innovation Dialogue 2025 is expected to generate actionable insights to guide Bangladesh's progress in education and innovation.