MTB Foundation and UCEP open training institute
MTB Foundation, the philanthropic wing of Mutual Trust Bank PLC (MTB), has partnered with UCEP Bangladesh to establish the "MTB UCEP Skills Training Institute (MUSTI)" in Mymensingh.
The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on 9 July 2025 at the MTB Foundation Head Office in Dhaka.
This three-year project, running from July 2025 to June 2028, aims to train 1,200 underprivileged youth aged 17–35 in market-relevant skills aligned with the National Technical & Vocational Qualification Framework (NTVQF). Certified by the National Skill Development Authority (NSDA), the six-month training programme (720 hours) will focus on five high-demand trades: Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Tailoring and Dress Making, Beautification, Bakery and Pastry Production, and Graphic Design.
A dedicated job placement programme will also support graduates in securing employment, both locally and in emerging international markets.
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The MoA signing ceremony was attended by MTB Board Chairman Rashed Ahmed Chowdhury, Director and MTB Foundation Chairperson Khwaja Nargis Hossain, MTB Managing Director and CEO Syed Mahbubur Rahman, and MTB Foundation CEO Samia Chowdhury. From UCEP Bangladesh, attendees included Vice-Chairperson Uzma Chowdhury, CPA; Former Chairpersons Dr Mohammad Alauddin and A. Matin Chowdhury; and Executive Director Dr Md Abdul Karim. Senior management of both organisations was also present.
Speakers at the event stressed the urgent need to equip disadvantaged youth and women with practical, industry-aligned skills to meet domestic and international labour market demands. They also highlighted the programme's potential to generate sustainable livelihoods, especially in underserved regions like Mymensingh.
"This initiative is not just about training—it's about transformation," said Khwaja Nargis Hossain. "We are investing in human capital that will uplift entire communities."
By addressing critical skill gaps and empowering marginalised populations, the MUSTI project is expected to make a lasting socio-economic impact and serve as a model for skills development in Bangladesh.
