Experts on Saturday emphasised that both public and private universities need to prioritise research and development to cultivate skilled graduates capable of meeting both local and global market demands.
During a round table discussion titled 鈥楽trengthening Collaboration between the Private Sector and Academia: The Way Forward鈥� organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, participants underscored the importance of addressing skill gaps and meeting industry requirements effectively.
Academicians from different renowned public and private universities took part in the discussion to identify the challenges of industry-academia collaboration.
DCCI president Ashraf Ahmed said that every year about two million graduates were entering into the job market, but it was not possible to accommodate all of them. 鈥楢ccording to BIDS, unemployment among graduates in the country is 66 per cent,鈥� he said.
Furthermore, he said, a World Bank survey reveals that 46 per cent of employers struggle to find job seekers with the necessary skills while 69 per cent report shortages of skilled manpower for technical and managerial roles.
Ashraf said that experts were being hired from outside for key positions to run the industry and billions of dollars are flowing out of the country. 鈥極n the other hand, due to lack of skills, our manpower is not getting highly paid jobs abroad.鈥�
Industry-academia needs to work together to develop both soft and hard skills of the graduates, he added.
Besides, shared efforts and contributions by universities and private sector on research of contemporary matters can enrich and create new learning on macroeconomic matters, the DCCI president continued.
Muhammad Anisuzzaman Talukder, professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, said that there should have been a strong trust between the industry and academia sector.
In Bangladesh, the university curriculum is quite good, but in some cases few good things can be included, he said, adding: 鈥楤ut frequent changes in curriculum will not bring any good result for the students.鈥�
Vice-chancellor of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh Imran Rahman said that about 40 per cent of young graduates were still unemployed while there was a need to do something for them.
He therefore suggested for apprenticeship for better learning out of the theoretical background.
Imran also urged for popularising ICT and science-based education more to compete with the rapidly moving world. Moreover, he said private funding in the university research and development or students鈥� projects should get tax benefits.
Professor of North South University AKM Waresul Karim, dean of Bangladesh University of Professionals Brigadier General Mohammad Saadat Hossain, its director of international affairs Lieutenant
Colonel (retired) Khondoker Zahirul alam, professor Mohammad Zahedul Alam, assistant director of
FBS Md Yeashir Arafat, dean of Dhaka International University Mohammed Masum Iqbal, pro-VC
of American International University-Bangladesh Md Abdur Rahman, its professor Partha P Chowdhury, professor of United International
University Salma Karim, its associate professor Md Quamruzzaman, dean of Northern University Bangladesh Nazmul Ahsan Khan, its assistant professor Khairul Alam and professor of Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka Khaled Mahmud also took part in the discussion.
The speakers also suggested for utilising corporate CSR funds for university research and development work.
Speakers also recommended a faster approval process of the new curriculum by the University Grants Commission. They also requested the private sector to come forward for students鈥� project funding.
DCCI vice-president Md Junaed Ibna Ali, director Mohammad Saifur Rahman Saif and convenor Ismet Zerin Khan were also present at the discussion.