Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called for greater focus on research and innovation alongside textbook-based education in the country’s universities to meet global standards and compete in the modern world.
Speaking at the inaugural session of a national workshop at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban at University of Dhaka, he said Bangladeshi universities have not yet reached the expected position in global rankings in education research and academic excellence.
The workshop titled “Transforming Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap to Sustainable Excellence” was organised by the University Grants Commission to make higher education more modern inclusive and sustainable.
Tarique Rahman said research publications citations and innovation receive major importance in international university rankings and stressed that universities must pay closer attention to these areas.
“If universities do not pay attention to research and innovation alongside traditional academic learning it will be difficult for us to survive in the present competitive world,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the world has entered the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution where technologies such as artificial intelligence robotics automation biotechnology cyber-security quantum computing nanotechnology and fifth-generation wireless systems are transforming both thinking and employment.
He noted that while technology is reducing jobs in traditional sectors it is also creating new opportunities in emerging industries.
“To meet the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and enter new job markets we must move away from a memorization-based and certificate-focused education system,” he said.
The premier stressed that technology-based education is essential not only for personal development but also for economic growth innovation and international competitiveness.
He also called for stronger cooperation between universities and industries saying educational curricula should reflect the needs of the industrial sector.
According to him knowledge is no longer limited to specific academic subjects and modern education increasingly combines fields such as data science biology engineering and sociology.
Tarique Rahman said students who gain skills during their studies can become entrepreneurs and create jobs for others instead of only seeking employment after graduation.
He announced that the government plans to establish Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Institutes and Science Parks in higher educational institutions.
The government also plans to organise science fairs innovation fairs and product sourcing fairs in partnership with local and international organisations.
He added that technical and practical education will also be made mandatory from the school level.
Quoting British author and business strategist Tom Goodwin, the Prime Minister highlighted how modern technology companies dominate industries through innovative ideas rather than traditional ownership models.
Referring to companies such as Uber Facebook Alibaba and Airbnb, he said they have become global leaders by acting as smart interfaces that connect service providers with users.
Calling students the lifeblood of universities Tarique Rahman said it is natural for governments to fund research and innovation activities in higher education institutions.
He also noted that in many countries university alumni actively support research and innovation programmes and added that while students are the lifeblood of universities alumni are their backbone.