Research and development should be prioritised in both public and private universities in Bangladesh to produce skilled graduates capable of meeting local and global market demands. Additionally, Bangladesh must address the skill gaps and requirements in its workforce.
Academicians and industry leaders made the consensus during a round table discussion titled "Strengthening Collaboration between the Private Sector and Academia: The Way Forward," organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in Motijheel, Dhaka, on Saturday.
Academicians from various renowned universities participated in the discussion to identify the challenges regarding industry-academia collaboration.
DCCI President Ashraf Ahmed remarked, "Every year, around two million graduates are coming into the job market. However, we are unable to accommodate all of them.
"According to BIDS, unemployment among graduates in the country stands at 66 per cent," he added.
He noted that a survey done by the World Bank has revealed that 46 per cent of employers struggle to find job seekers with the necessary skills, while 69 per cent have reported a shortage of skilled manpower for technical and managerial roles.
Hence, experts are being hired from outside for key positions to run the industry, and billions of US dollars are flowing out of the country.
Regarding why our manpower is not getting the high-paying jobs abroad, he pointed out the lack of necessary skills.
"Industry and academia must work together to develop our graduates' soft and hard skills. Besides, shared efforts and contributions by universities and the private sector on the research of contemporary matters can enrich and create new learning on macroeconomic matters," Ashraf mentioned.
Meanwhile, ULAB Vice Chancellor (VC) Imran Rahman said, "Around 40 per cent of youth graduates are still unemployed, and we need to do something for them. In our country, university students learn very little through their internships."
Therefore, ULAB VC suggested apprenticeships for better learning out of the theoretical background, stating, "Still many of our subjects or curricula studied in the universities do not have much demand even in the global market."
So, he urged the popularisation of ICT and science-based education to compete with the rapidly progressing world.
Moreover, he recommended that private funding in university research and development (R&D) or student' projects should get tax benefits.
Muhammad Anisuzzaman Talukder, professor, BUET, noted, "There should have been a strong trust between industry and academia. In Bangladesh, our university curriculums are quite good. However, a few good things can be included in some cases.
Although, disagreeing with the ULAB VC in terms of curricula not being up to par with the industry demands, he warned that frequent changes in the curriculums would not bring good results for the students.
The speakers suggested using corporate CSR funds for university R&D. They also warned that they may seek better opportunities abroad without competitive salaries for skilled graduates.
They recommended that the University Grants Commission (UGC) expedite the approval process of new curricula, emphasising the need for research-based data on skill demands of the market, projecting at least ten years ahead.
Additionally, they urged the private sector to fund the students' projects.
AKM Waresul Karim, professor, North South University, Brigadier General Mohammad Saadat Hossain, dean, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Ltd Col (retd) Khondoker Zahirul alam, director, international affairs, BUP, Mohammad Zahedul Alam, professor, BUP, Md Yeashir Arafat, assistant director, FBS, BUP, Mohammed Masum Iqbal, dean, Dhaka International University, Md Abdur Rahman, pro-vice chancellor, AIUB, Partha P Chowdhury, professor, AIUB, Salma Karim, professor, UIU, Md Quamruzzaman, associate professor, UIU, Professor Nazmul Ahsan Khan, dean, NUB, Khairul Alam, assistant professor, NUB and Dr Khaled Mahmud, professor, IBA, also took part in the discussion.
DCCI Vice President Md Junaed Ibna Ali, Director Mohammad Saifur Rahman Saif and Convenor Ismet Zerin Khan were also present during the roundtable.
