BOU to enhance students’ skills, strengthen industry-academia collaboration
City Disk :
To enhance professional and technical skills among students, strengthen industry-academia collaboration, and foster mutual cooperation in developing a skilled workforce, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Saturday, between the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA), under the Chief Adviser’s Office, and Bangladesh Open University (BOU) at the NSDA conference room in Agargaon, Dhaka.
The MoU was signed by Nasreen Afroz, Executive Chairman (Secretary) of NSDA, and Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam, Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, on behalf of their respective institutions.
In addition to BOU, NSDA also signed MoUs on the same occasion with Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology (DUET), Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET), and the National University.
The Chief Guest at the event was M. Siraj Uddin Mia, Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser, while Dr. Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, was present as Special Guest.
In his keynote address, the Chief Adviser’s Principal Secretary M. Siraj Uddin Mia emphasized that this MoU marks a vital step towards developing youth through skills training tailored to both current and future employment sectors.
He also stressed the importance of preparing university students with practical skills to meet the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Nasreen Afroz, Executive Chairman (Secretary) of NSDA, remarked that these MoUs open new horizons of collaboration between NSDA and the country’s leading universities.
She expressed optimism that such partnerships would significantly contribute to the development of the nation’s human resources.
Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam, Vice-Chancellor of BOU, stated, “BOU will extend its support to NSDA in designing national competency standards and skill development curricula.
This MoU signifies a major stride in national skill development and will play a vital role in producing skilled manpower for both domestic and global job markets.”
He further added, “Skill development through training is indispensable. We have already initiated various short courses and professional programs.
Vocational courses will also be introduced to enable students to gain hands-on experience and enhance their capabilities.
The more skilled our population becomes, the more our country will advance. Exporting skilled manpower will increase remittance inflow and help Bangladesh become a developed nation.”
The event was presided over by Nasreen Afroz, Executive Chairman (Secretary) of NSDA.
Distinguished attendees included Professor Dr. Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman from BUET, Professor Dr. S. M. Abdur Razzak, Vice-Chancellor of RUET, Professor A. S. M. Amanullah, Vice-Chancellor of the National University, deans of various faculties, registrars, and senior officials from the Chief Adviser’s Office and NSDA.