Dhaka: President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday emphasized the need to overhaul the nation's education system, incorporating considerations of literature, heritage, culture, and employment as well as overall national requirements. His comments came during a meeting with a delegation from the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh (APUB) at Bangabhaban.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the President remarked on the fragile state of the current education system, which he noted was inherited from a previous regime. He highlighted the importance of restructuring this system to integrate various educational streams into a coordinated and comprehensive framework. The President voiced concerns over the indiscriminate approval of substandard educational institutions by past administrations, which he believes has led to an unskilled workforce.
President Mirza Fakhrul also stressed the need to prioritize vocational and technical education to develop skilled manpower, which would help boost foreign exchange earnings through overseas employment. He reiterated that the education system must be revamped with a holistic approach, considering literature, heritage, culture, and the country's employment and national needs.
During the meeting, the APUB delegation updated the President on the status and advancement of higher education in the country, the situation of private universities, and their role in developing skilled human resources and contributing to economic progress. They advocated for the introduction of competency- and outcome-based assessment systems and stressed that new university approvals should be contingent on subject-wise national demand, investment capacity, and quality standards.
The APUB representatives called for permission for qualified universities to offer PhD programs, conduct research, secure patents, and commercialize innovations. They also proposed curricula linked to industry needs, internships, apprenticeships, foreign-language education, and training in artificial intelligence (AI) and professional skills to ensure that graduates are employable.
The delegation sought to transform the University Grants Commission (UGC) into a supportive and development-oriented regulatory body and urged the formulation of an integrated national education system.
President Mirza Fakhrul praised the role of private universities in expanding higher education and contributing to research, innovation, and national development, noting that several private universities have maintained strong positions in global rankings. As the Chancellor of the universities, he assured the delegation of his full support in advancing private universities.
The APUB delegation was led by Chairman Dr. Md Sabur Khan and included Vice-Chairmen Benajir Ahmed and KBM Moin Uddin Chisty, Treasurer Qayum Reza Chowdhury, Executive Council members Abdul Quasem Haider, Kazi Zahedul Hasan, and Nowshad Shamsul Arefin, as well as APUB Secretariat Director Belal Ahmed. The President's Military Secretary and Press Secretary were also present at the meeting.