Lead Academy town hall sparks dialogue on future-ready skills
LEAD Academy held its Town Hall Meeting on August 30, 2025, at Krishibari Estates, Savar, uniting industry professionals, educators, and youth nationwide to discuss employable skills for the future.
Kicking off the day were interactive feedback sessions that engaged participants from more than eight districts. After young attendees shared ideas to address challenges in spreading advanced 4IR skills among job seekers, LEAD Academy Co-founder Ashfaq Zaman conducted a design-thinking workshop, sparking innovation and collaboration.
Among the highlights was a roundtable titled "Amplifying Community Voices for Education." Here, instructors from leading companies and the freelance community convened, with discussions focusing on institutional–industry collaboration, upskilling for both blue- and white-collar workers, integrating soft skills, mental health awareness, and the role of AI in curricula.
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Emphasizing inclusivity and structural reform, speakers highlighted their significance. S M Ahbabur Rahman of Transparency International Bangladesh also stressed the need for more investment in vocational and blue-collar skills, remarking, "Equal importance must be given to our blue-collared workers who are constantly ignored when it comes to providing structural upskilling."
Meanwhile, Mahmudul Hassan from BanglaVision advocated for a Teachers' Forum to strengthen partnerships with schools. "Conducting a Teachers' Forum will provide an open and free platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth among educators," he said.
Nuzhat Farhana, a leading instructor of the Chinese language, also highlighted the importance of multilingualism, explaining that broader career opportunities are possible for young people as a result.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Ashfaq Zaman, who highlighted outcomes including new partnerships for upskilling initiatives, actionable strategies for incorporating AI and mental health awareness into curricula, and a commitment to ongoing community engagement. He also outlined LEAD Academy's vision for expanding access to quality learning and building a future-ready workforce across Bangladesh.
