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The University of Dhaka, in collaboration with Korea Cooperation International Agency, has launched a $7.5 million pilot project for young entrepreneurs as part of the institution’s centenary celebrations.
During the inauguration of “Capacity Building of Universities in Bangladesh to Promote Youth Entrepreneurship” in an event on Saturday, experts said rapid industrialisation over the years has turned the country into a development hub, and inspired the young to be entrepreneurs.
They also called upon the young entrepreneurs to come up with new innovations to overcome challenges of entrepreneurship posed by globalisation and technology.
Addressing the event held at the Dhaka University’s central playground, Secondary and Higher Education Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain said, “Bangladesh is going to be a developed country by 2041, and in this regard, the young generation has to play a vital role through innovation.
“The young generation has the capability to ensure development by overcoming challenges, and we have to inspire them with proper education and training.”
Participating in the programme, Planning Minister MA Mannan said, “Bangladesh is on the highway of development. We are going through a time of transition with the aim to achieve the status of a developed country by 2041.
“I am calling for more responsibility in stopping any waste of resources, energy, and time. I am also urging everyone to work hard, which will make us successful. The government is implementing big projects, and all of those are for the young generation.”
Presiding over the inaugural event, Dhaka University’s Vice-Chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman said, “The project would play an effective role for building the capacity of the young generation regarding innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Academic and research activities, as well as networking and relationships, will be further strengthened among the University of Dhaka and universities in Korea through this project.”
The DU vice-chancellor then thanked the Korean Government, especially the Korea Cooperation International Agency authorities for providing support and cooperation to this pilot project.
Korean Ambassador in Dhaka Lee Jang-keun said, “Bangladesh and South Korea have a long history of collaboration, and this pilot project is the symbol of existing friendly ties between the two countries.
“This project will help Bangladeshi youth learn how the Korean Universities create entrepreneurs.”
Adding that only innovation and collaboration can make the entrepreneurship journey easy, Lee Jang-keun said, “The bilateral relations between the two nations will be strengthened further through implementation of this project.”
The overall objective of this project is to improve the environment for potential youth entrepreneurs through capacity building of the universities in Bangladesh on entrepreneurship education.
Project activities also include developing curriculum for entrepreneurship education, capacity development of the faculties, interdisciplinary students and professionals, and strengthening the network and relationship among stakeholders of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Bangladesh, says the DU’s Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) Centre.
The project will also support the physical and virtual infrastructure for entrepreneurship education, and help develop a pilot entrepreneurial roadmap for universities in Bangladesh through research and advocacy.
UGC Member Dr Abu Taher, BUET VC Dr Satya Prasad Majumder, DU Pro-VC (Academic) Dr ASM Maksud Kamal and DU Business Studies Faculty Dean Dr Muhammad Abdul Moyeen were present as special guests in the function.
Country Director of KOICA Doh Young-Ah, Project Manager Derik Kim, Vice-Chairman of DU ICE Dr Khondoker Bazlul Hoque, DUTA President Prof Md Rahmat Ullah and Executive Director of ICE Md Rashedur Rahman also spoke at the event.
