Dhaka, November 18: The FBCCI Innovation and Research Center at Tikatuli, Dhaka, witnessed a historic convergence of minds on Saturday, as a high-profile brainstorming session unfolded, championed by the Prime Minister’s Office of Bangladesh. This pioneering event themed on ‘Smart Bangladesh,’ anchored on the pillars of Smart Citizen, Smart Economy, Smart Government, and Smart Society, bringing together luminaries from public, private, and academic realms, marked a decisive step toward bridging critical gaps in Bangladesh’s developmental landscape ushered the prosperous future of Bangladesh.
Inaugural Insights: Dr. Bikarna Kumar Ghosh, advisor & CEO of the Center of FBCCI, inaugurated the event, setting an optimistic and forward-thinking tone.
Brainstorming Session on Public-Private-Academia bridging of Skills Development. Honorable Principal Coordinator (SDG) Affairs, Prime Minister’s office Mr Md Akhter Hossain presided over the meeting.
Mr Md Jashim Uddin, Chairman of FBCCI Innovation and research centre was the Co-chair. Mr Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu was also present.
Executive chairman, NSDA (Secretary) Nasrin Afroz, ED, BCC Mr Ranjit Kumar, DG. BITAC Mr Md Anwar Hossain, DG, BMET Mr Saleh Ahmed Mozaffar, DG Youth Affairs Mr Mostofa Kamal Mojumder, Additional Secretary, PMO Md Monirul Islam, Joint Secretary Education Ministry Mr Mukesh Chandra Biswas.
From Academia: Professor Emeritus Dr Md Kaikobad, Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Digital University Prof Dr Mahfuzul Islam, Director, RISE, BUET Prof Dr Anisuzzaman Talukder, Director, Dhaka University Innovation Centre Prof Dr Rashedur Rahman, Prof Akhter Hossain, Prof Dr A A Mamun, UIU, Prof Dr FA Sobhani.
From Industry: Mr MA Zabbar, Chairman of DBL group, Iqbal Bahar Zahid CEOof Optimax, MohammadUlla Palash, Shamin Ahmed, President of BPGMEA, KH Hasan Ripon, MD, GEN Bd, Ms Alisha Pradhan, CEO, Hernet TV,
Leadership Voices: The session featured a series of significant speeches from Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, Senior Vice Chairman; Md. Jashim Uddin, Chairman; and Md. Akhtar Hossain, Principal Coordinator from the Prime Minister’s Office.VC of FBCCI Md. AMin Helaly. These speeches highlighted the collaborative ethos of the initiative and the urgency of fostering synergy between different sectors. Mr. Uddin underscored the challenge of salary parity between the blue-collar workforce and recent higher graduates, illustrating that a discrepancy exists when a driver earns 20,000 taka, while a fresh graduate’s starting salary ranges from 12,000 to 15,000 taka. He contended that skill development and training alone are insufficient remedies; rather, the system must proffer enhanced opportunities for budding talent to commence their careers. Subsequently, he underscored the pivotal role that his organization, the FBCCI Innovation and Research Center, can assume in facilitating collaboration among government, private entities, and educational institutions to address this profound issue. This predicament is not only a matter of salary disparity but also a contributing factor to the prevalence of foreigners securing top-tier positions and higher-paying roles in Bangladesh.
The chair of the event, Md. Hossain, directed attention to the imperative of fostering collaboration with distinguished association presidents, key associations, university vice-chancellors, and prominent media personalities. The primary objective is to catalyze the development of youth skills and mindset, thereby contributing to the enhancement of Bangladesh’s economy and GDP. His vision is rooted in creating an environment where the youth can flourish locally rather than seeking opportunities abroad. Md. Hossain emphasized that the realization of a smart Bangladesh, encompassing smart citizens, a robust economy, efficient government, and a thriving society, necessitates a concerted effort to elevate the purpose of the youth. To truly serve the nation, he posited that individuals must cultivate advanced skills, profound knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth. The PMO office stands poised to collaboratively engage with all stakeholders through a shared process of thesis and research, facilitated by the FBCCI wing. This collaborative endeavor aims to pave the way for the manifestation of a collective vision for a more prosperous and purpose-driven Bangladesh.
The conference room during the session emanated an aura of intellectual brilliance, housing luminaries from various sectors in Bangladesh. Attendees ranged from esteemed government officials and secretaries to industrialists, vice-chancellors, directors, and professors from top universities. The illustrious speakers, spanning diverse realms, delivered enlightening speeches. Noteworthy among them was Mr. Kaikobad, a venerable academician and professor from BRAC University and BUET, the president of the ceramics industry, individual institution representatives like Iqbal Bahar from Nijera Bolar Moton Golpo, the vice president of FBCCI, and representatives from BACCO, BASIS. Additionally, the presence of the country representative of UNDP, Suparna Roy from the World Bank, and the country director of Youf Faruq from Microsoft added further depth to the intellectual discourse.
These luminaries collectively provided a thought-provoking and enlightening perspective, instilling hope and offering exposure. Such insight not only encourages but also underscores the pivotal role that organizations like the FBCCI Research Centre can play. Their duty extends beyond mere observation; they have a vital role in promoting, nurturing, and fostering the potential of the youth and working population in Bangladesh. This is especially crucial in navigating and thriving amid the global competition fueled by technological advancements and the tumultuous shifts in the world order.
Alisha Pradhan’s Impactful Address: Alisha Pradhan, a prominent figure in philanthropy and CEO of HerNet Group, delivered a stirring speech, emphasizing the importance of public-private-academia collaboration. She outlined the need for Bangladesh to address its industrial-academic gap, despite a sizable youth population, to compete globally.
Pradhan’s vision for a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ encompassed four pillars: Smart Citizen, Smart Economy, Smart Government, and Smart Society. She detailed challenges such as insufficient access to quality education, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and social disparities. Her proposed solutions included revamping educational curricula, implementing e-governance, and enforcing gender equality policies.
HerNet Foundation’s Role: A central theme of Pradhan’s address was the critical work of HerNet Foundation in championing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and gender equality. Since 2018, HerNet Foundation has been at the forefront of groundbreaking initiatives, despite facing significant challenges in garnering support.
Pradhan highlighted “Bangladesh Decides: The Youth Speaks” (BDYS), a pioneering initiative by the Foundation that elevates the voices of university students, providing them a platform to present innovative ideas for Bangladesh’s evolving challenges. This initiative exemplifies HerNet’s commitment to nurturing a brigade of bright minds, shaping them into future leaders and innovators.
Global Perspectives and Local Solutions:
Drawing parallels with global initiatives like Finland’s education system, Singapore’s “SkillsFuture,” and India’s “Skill India,” Pradhan illustrated how Bangladesh could learn from and adapt these models to local contexts. She advocated for integrating behavioral training, vocational programs, digital governance, and mentorship initiatives to build a more inclusive and skilled society.
Conclusion and Call to Action: The session concluded with a renewed commitment to turning discussions into concrete actions. The closing remarks by Md. Jashim Uddin chairman of FBCCI Innovation & Research Centre and Md. Akhtar Hossain echoed the event’s overarching theme of collaboration for national progress.
Significance for Bangladesh: This event at the FBCCI Innovation and Research Center was not just a meeting of minds but a catalyst for tangible change. It underscored the critical role of youth empowerment, national unity, and innovative solutions in shaping a resilient, prosperous future for Bangladesh. The nation, inspired by its youthful dynamism and guided by strategic partnerships, is poised to script a new chapter in its development story.
The event was more than just a discussion; it was a clarion call for action towards creating a skilled, intelligent workforce capable of propelling Bangladesh to the forefront of global innovation. As articulated by Pradhan, the emphasis on empowering the youth, fostering nationalism, and bridging societal divides is not just a choice but an obligation for the nation’s progress.
The session at the FBCCI Innovation and Research Center stands as a testament to Bangladesh’s potential to transform challenges into opportunities for growth and development. With the collaborative effort of government, private sectors, and academia, the nation is poised to unlock its full potential, guided by the vision of its dynamic youth.
