JAAGO Foundation, YouthNet launch NexGen Graduate Fellowship Programme

JAAGO Foundation Trust and YouthNet Global have launched a three-year NexGen Graduate Fellowship Programme to help young graduates gain practical experience, professional skills and cross-sector exposure as they transition from higher education to professional life.

The programme was formally inaugurated at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday (27 September), bringing together more than 100 representatives from government and private sector organisations, educational institutions, development organisations and the media, according to the press release.

A total of 80 fellows will participate in four batches over three years, with 20 fellows in each batch.

Each fellowship will run for six months, combining three months of structured learning, mentorship and group projects with three months of internship or practical work opportunities with different organisations.

The programme is being implemented under the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF), supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, the High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh and the European Union.

The Department of Development Studies at the University of Dhaka is serving as the academic partner, while GFA Consulting Group is managing the programme.

The fellowship aims to help recent graduates strengthen problem-solving, communication, teamwork and workplace capabilities through structured learning, mentorship and practical exposure.

Fellows will have opportunities to engage with organisations from the government, business, development and academic sectors and learn from experienced practitioners.

The main panel discussion at the launch focused on how universities, employers and other institutions could better support young graduates as they enter the workplace.

YouthNet Global Executive Coordinator Sohanur Rahman said the fellowship aimed to create opportunities for young graduates to become active contributors rather than remain limited to seeking employment.

"Beyond preparing young people for employment, we want to create opportunities for them to develop practical experience, innovative thinking and the confidence to contribute meaningfully to their workplaces and communities," he said.

Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, former vice-chancellor of the University of Dhaka and professor in its Department of Development Studies, stressed the importance of stronger links between universities and industry.

"Dialogue with industry needs to continue in the Bangladesh context. We are now realising that we need to maintain relationships with one another. The relationship is improving, and we are hopeful," he said.

National Institute of Mass Communication Director Parveen Sultana Rabbi said Bangladeshi graduates were resilient and understood the effort required after completing university education.

"Standing beside them through such an initiative is a noble effort. I hope we will see more timely initiatives of this kind from different organisations. I also call upon government institutions to become involved in such initiatives," she said.

JAAGO Foundation Trust Founder and Executive Director Korvi Rakshand said working with different stakeholders would provide young fellows with valuable experience and help them contribute to the country in the future.

GFA Consulting Group Director and International Team Leader Adi Walker said fellows would be encouraged to broaden their professional outlook and strengthen their capabilities through intensive professional development.

"We need to prepare people who can go beyond themselves. We are working towards intensive professional development to achieve that goal," he said.

Ifrat Hossain, a fellow under the programme, said young graduates were ready to contribute but needed an enabling environment and opportunities to demonstrate their potential.

"We are ready to contribute, but we also need an ecosystem where young people can learn, gain experience and get opportunities to prove what they can do," Hossain said.

The organisers said the NexGen Graduate Fellowship Programme aims to strengthen the transition from higher education to professional life by combining skills development with practical experience and exposure to government, business, development and academic institutions.