Job market disparity: Are university students outside Dhaka being left behind?

Samin and Rafiq expected to follow similar career paths after graduating in the same year, both with degrees in business administration. 

Samin, a student from North South University in Dhaka, spent his university years gaining valuable experience and skills, maintaining relationships with business leaders, and juggling coursework with internships at two corporate companies. He had several job offers lined up when he graduated. He is currently working as a full-time employee in a renowned corporate house. 

In contrast, Rafiq attended a well-known public university outside of Dhaka. Although he was academically brilliant, he struggled in the job market. Unlike Samin, he had little to no work experience and limited exposure to business or corporate culture. He performed well in interviews but lacked the connections and confidence that his counterparts in Dhaka had built over the years. The companies he applied to typically preferred candidates with practical experience. 

This is not an isolated incident; rather, it reflects the broader reality of the country's job market.

Students at public universities outside Dhaka often come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, where gaining admission to a public institution is their primary goal due to financial constraints. The job security offered by government employment also makes it their preferred choice. Moreover, these universities still lack the necessary foundation to prepare students for private-sector careers, making it difficult for them to explore opportunities beyond government jobs."

Dr Sakhawat Hossain, professor of English, Rajshahi University

Contrary to the common belief that admission to a public university in Bangladesh guarantees success, the reality of the job market gives graduates from Dhaka-based institutions a distinct advantage over those from universities outside the capital.

"I had developed knowledge of several professions during my university days. My university arranges a range of talks, seminars, and competitions that provide us the chance to build relationships with a range of media and business companies, thus broadening our networks," Samin explained.

Meanwhile, Rafiq mentioned that he could not find such job prospects in Kushtia that would fit his resume. "If any of my friends from public and private universities in Dhaka and I applied with the same degree, they would hire them based on their prior experience." 

He also noted that their networking skills lag behind those of their counterparts in Dhaka.

A Dhaka-centric job ecosystem

The concentration of nearly all significant private and business employment opportunities in Dhaka is a primary factor contributing to this disparity.

Organisations of this nature are exceedingly rare, even in divisional cities. Consequently, students who reside outside the capital struggle to secure internships or part-time employment during their academic years. Even those who are prepared to travel to Dhaka for internships frequently encounter financial and logistical obstacles. 

The expenses associated with accommodation, travel and sustenance frequently exceed the potential income, rendering it impractical. The task of balancing coursework, travel and employment becomes overwhelming.

Furthermore, students who reside in Dhaka are afforded the opportunity to engage with various cultural and intellectual platforms, including the Ekushey Book Fair, Shilpakala Academy, and well-equipped libraries. These platforms serve to enhance their knowledge, creativity and networking opportunities — advantages that students from outside the capital frequently miss out on. 

Dr Farhadur Reza, an associate professor of Urban and Regional Planning department in Jahangirnagar University, remarked, "I have personally conducted some research on this matter. As part of my study, I spoke with students from two universities in Noakhali and Patuakhali. They informed me that due to their environment, they are falling behind in the job market and are quite frustrated.

"My own university is also located somewhat away from Dhaka and is entirely residential, meaning that most students spend the majority of their time on campus. Many of them are also disheartened by the lack of regular job fairs, seminars, and limited exposure to the job market," the professor added.

Ashiqur Rahman Sourav, a lecturer at Green University in Dhaka, is a graduate of one of the nation's most prestigious public universities. He reflected on his experience, stating, "I pursued employment opportunities concurrently with my academic pursuits while attending a public institution. However, due to the university's remote location from Dhaka, I had restricted access to these opportunities." 

"Consequently, I was motivated to focus solely on my academic pursuits. In the current educational environment, a significant number of my students are employed while simultaneously pursuing their studies, thereby acquiring an understanding of the intricacies of the labour market." 

Ashiqur added, "I can confidently assert that, provided that one has the financial resources, studying at a private institution in Dhaka is a safer option for professional development than attending a public university outside of Dhaka, based on my personal experience of attending a public university outside of Dhaka and currently teaching at a private university in the capital."

The government job obsession outside Dhaka

Unlike their private university counterparts, students from public universities outside Dhaka place a strong emphasis on securing government jobs. However, the availability of these positions is limited, and competition is intense. 

As a result, only a small fraction succeed, while many others face setbacks after spending years preparing for recruitment exams without gaining relevant work experience. By the time they turn to private-sector opportunities, they find themselves at a disadvantage, having lost crucial years and struggling to secure desirable jobs.

Dr Sakhawat Hossain, professor of English at Rajshahi University, explained, "Students at public universities outside Dhaka often come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, where gaining admission to a public institution is their primary goal due to financial constraints. The job security offered by government employment makes it their preferred choice. Moreover, these universities still lack the necessary foundation to prepare students for private-sector careers, making it difficult for them to explore opportunities beyond government jobs."

He added that some graduates from these public universities outside Dhaka do break into the private sector, but their numbers remain small. "From the outset of university life, these students focus on developing communication skills, networking, and acquiring industry-relevant expertise. Their success is a result of self-driven efforts rather than institutional support."

The competitive edge for Dhaka-based graduates

Universities inside Dhaka, especially the private ones, emphasise industry exposure and extracurricular engagement, equipping their graduates with skills that align with job market demands. 

These institutions structure their curricula to enhance soft skills such as communication, problem-solving and leadership, ensuring students are career-ready. Regular corporate events allow them to establish professional networks early, creating a pathway to employment.

Additionally, strong industry ties further bolster this advantage, facilitating a seamless transition from academics to the workforce. Internship programs and guest lectures from industry professionals provide practical insights, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application.

When asked if companies favour graduates from Dhaka-based universities over those from outside the capital, Alim Al Rabby, the current head of HR, Accounts and Finance at a renowned media house, stated, "Students from Dhaka institutions don't need special advantages. By the time they face an interview board, they've gained confidence from exposure to various job opportunities during their studies. This level of confidence is often lacking in students from outside Dhaka. Ultimately, the true measure is performance, and graduates from Dhaka universities tend to perform better."

An appeal for transformation

Both institutional constraints and student readiness explain the differences in job market success between university graduates from Dhaka-based and non-Dhaka-based institutions.

Public universities — especially those outside of Dhaka — have to update their courses, build closer business relationships, and provide more chances for practical learning. Without such reforms, the disparity between Dhaka-based and non-Dhaka-based graduates would further deepen, leaving many gifted people battling to find work despite their academic brilliance. 

There was a time when cultural activities flourished even outside Dhaka. Dr Reza believes if such practices could be revived, at the very least, students from universities outside Dhaka would gain better exposure in terms of culture.

"Additionally, employers must take responsibility for expanding their reach beyond the Dhaka-centric mindset. Universities outside Dhaka should also work towards organising more symposiums, job fairs, seminars, and career counselling sessions," he suggested.