Tax-free investment in education research urged

Educationists think that the authorities should change education programmes in line with the needs of industry to create skilled manpower so our dependence on foreign workers decreases.

They also advised a focus on research to address the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Emphasising private sector investment to enhance research activity at universities, they also called for keeping this investment tax free.

Research activity at all levels of education needs to be expanded in order to formulate new education activities and more emphasis should be placed on science, technology, and mathematics, said experts at the webinar, "Coordination of Industry and Education Sector: Role of Education Sector," organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Saturday morning.

In his welcome address at the webinar, Rizwan Rahman, president of DCCI, said educated youths are facing obstacles in getting work as they do not have the skills required for the industry after studying in the traditional education system.

On the other hand, there is a growing reliance on foreign nationals for the use and management of new technologies. A huge amount of money is going out of the country in this way.

The business leader emphasised conducting research at universities, emphasising the need to coordinate between industry and education to change the situation. He also called for keeping financial assistance from industries, or investment for research activities in the education sector, tax-free.

Professor Satya Prasad Majumder, vice chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), Dr Carmen Z Lamagna, vice chancellor of American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), Abul Kashem Mozumder, pro vice-chancellor of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), and Professor Imran Rahman, special adviser and dean of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (Ulab), among others, participated at the event.

AIUB Vice Chancellor Dr Carmen Z Lamagna said, in order to reduce the existing gaps in the industry and education sector, emphasis should be placed on adopting training programmes and increasing experience exchange. The government has to play the role of chief coordinator for the coordination of education and industry.

Abul Kashem Mozumder, pro vice-chancellor of BUP, proposed to include industry representatives in the election of senate and syndicate members of public universities for the coordination of industry and education sectors.

BUET Vice Chancellor, Professor Satya Prasad Majumder, said, "The long-term integration of education and industry has played an important role in achieving industrialisation and economic growth in the developed and developing countries of the world. We must follow that path too."

Ha also proposed introduction of industrial training programmes at universities.

DCCI senior vice-president NKA Mobin, vice-president Monowar Hossain, and members of the board attended the webinar.