Dhaka: The National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) is taking a significant step by formulating competency standards and a curriculum for the Arabic language, marking the first such initiative in Bangladesh. This move aims to unlock employment prospects in the global labor market for individuals proficient in Arabic.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the initiative could potentially open employment avenues in approximately 50 countries where Arabic is either a primary or secondary language, including 22 countries where it is the official language. The goal is to establish a uniform standard for Arabic language training and to provide citizens with access to quality instruction at NSDA-registered training institutions.
A day-long validation workshop was held on Tuesday at the NSDA conference room in Agargaon, Dhaka, focusing on the Competency Standard (CS) and Course Accreditation Document (CAD) for Arabic language. The workshop brought together Arabic language experts, academics, trainers, and representatives from government and private sectors, alongside industry representatives.
The workshop, chaired by NSDA Executive Chairman and Secretary Dr. Naznin Kawsar Chowdhury, involved discussions on the necessary knowledge, skills, training content, learning outcomes, and assessment methods required for Arabic language proficiency. Participants provided valuable feedback and suggestions on the proposed competency standards and curriculum.
Dr. Naznin emphasized the need for standardized, recognized, and employment-focused skills development training aligned with international labor market demands. She highlighted that the competency standards and training frameworks are being developed collaboratively with industry, academia, and relevant experts to ensure their timeliness and effectiveness.
She noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to fostering employment, developing skilled human resources, and adapting skills development programs to the international labor market’s needs. Dr. Naznin underscored the importance of language skills in education, employment, migration, and international careers, noting that proficiency in Arabic could create new opportunities for young people both domestically and globally.
Upon finalization of the competency standards and CAD based on stakeholder feedback, Arabic language training will be offered through NSDA-registered institutions following the prescribed guidelines. This initiative is expected to establish a structured system for the training, assessment, and recognition of Arabic language skills.
The NSDA has been actively working to develop skilled human resources with proficiency in various languages based on international market demands. Competency standards and curricula for English and Japanese have already been established, and efforts are underway to formulate similar standards for Chinese, Korean, and Italian, alongside Arabic.
Notable attendees at the workshop included Dhaka University Arabic Department Chairman Prof Dr. Md Mizanur Rahman, Islamic Foundation Director of the Zakat Fund and Research Department Dr. Waliur Rahman Khan, Bangladesh Betar Chief Executive of External Services Dr. Mohammad Enamul Haque, Bangladesh Open University Open School Assistant Professor Dr. Mohammad Qutub Uddin, former Islamic Foundation Director Maulana Mofazzal Hossain Khan, Arabic language trainer Md Nuruddin, Markazul Lughatil Arabia Bangladesh Founder Director Mohiuddin Farooqui, Qatar Embassy Senior Translator Hamed Jamil Hossain, and Jamiatul Ustaz Shahidullah Fazlul Bari Arabic Language and Literature Department teacher Alamgir Murtaza.