UNDP, GP to launch skills development programme

The United Nations Development Programme has joined hands with Grameenphone to launch a unique virtual learning ‘masterclass’ series as part of their commitment made on the last World Youth Skills Day.

The masterclass series, titled “Get Future Ready: Need for Skills,” will come as a mutual effort to drive Bangladesh forward through unleashing the potential of the country’s youth by equipping them with relevant skills and getting them future-ready, said a statement on Friday.

A pool of prominent leaders and experts will be engaged to guide the participant youth with the objective of enabling economic opportunities for all, especially in the post-pandemic era. 

The “Masterclass” sessions will commence on August 28 and continue till September 25, connecting the leading industry experts to the future professionals and transforming the country’s population dividend into the key driving force of the economy through workforce capability developments.

Distinguished mentors, such as UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee, BGMEA former president Rubana Huq, AT&T Vice President Ridwan Kabir, Unilever CEO Zaved Akhtar, and Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman, will take part in the event, said the release.    

“As a collective force, we have achieved remarkable success in accelerating growth, lowering poverty and improving human development over the last years. However, for unleashing the potential further, we must better equip to get future-ready and realize our youth dividend to the fullest,” said Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman.

“Therefore, we will continue our efforts to engage with bright minds, prepare the youth nationwide with the future-fit skills, ensure that no one is left behind will surely enable our country to soar to new heights.”

“I am thankful to distinguished experts, leaders and resource persons for joining this masterclass series and believing in the cause,” he added.

UNDP Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee said, “This series of Masterclass, will orient young people to the kinds of soft skills and values which are increasingly considered essential in any workplace and in turn equipping them to become good professionals. UNDP is working with all development actors including the private sector to co-create platforms to help youth to not only access more dignified economic opportunities but through that becoming better able to contribute a modern and prosperous Bangladesh for all”.

Through interactive Zoom sessions, the speakers will discuss various aspects of inclusion, entrepreneurship, global professional scenario, innovation, leadership, and other business and career highlights. Selective university students currently doing the Communication Skills, Digital Marketing & Entrepreneurship course under GP Explorers – a skills-led digital academy by Grameenphone – will join the sessions.

The first session of the series will be conducted by Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, on the engaging topic – “Inclusion, more than just diversity,” on August 28 from 07:30 pm. All sessions of “Masterclass” will be broadcasted live on Grameenphone, UNDP, and Prothom Alo’s facebook platforms, it added.