City Desk :
BRAC University (BU) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovations Program (SICIP) recently to implement advanced training programs aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s industrial skills and innovation ecosystem.
Running from October 2025 to December 2028, the training programs are designed to enhance the technical and professional skills of 1,615 professionals and graduates in two key sectors—information and communication technology (ICT) and pharmaceuticals. says a press release.
The Bangladesh government is implementing the SICIP through the Finance Division, Ministry of Finance as the executing agency to nurture a skilled workforce for technology adoption and innovation.
Supported by the Asian Development Bank, the SICIP will run from October 2023 to June 2029, at a total cost of USD 375 million and a trainee target of approximately 220,000.
By partnering with the SICIP, BRAC University is promoting inclusive participation (including for women and disadvantaged groups), fostering university-industry partnerships, and strengthening capacity for green and technology-driven manufacturing and services.
BRAC University Treasurer Ariful Islam represented the university at the signing ceremony at the SICIP Conference Room on 27 October 2025.
Md Mahfuzul Alam Khan, Additional Secretary & EPD (Additional Charge) (Program Management-1), SICIP, chaired the event, while Md Manjur Alam Prodhan, Joint Secretary, DEPD (Program Management), delivered the welcome address.
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering of BRAC University will lead eight advanced skill development courses, each of 4 months (100 hours per course), under the ICT component, targeting 1,440 participants.
These courses will focus on VLSI Circuit and Layout Design, Digital Physical Design, PCB and IoT Device Design, Firmware Development, Machine Learning, IoT, Data Science, and Blockchain & Fintech Development.
These programs are targeted at industry professionals, fresh graduates, and diploma holders in relevant technical disciplines, aimed at bridging academic learning with industry-ready competencies for the global digital economy.
The School of Pharmacy at BRAC University will implement a Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Quality and Regulations (PGD-PQR) to strengthen professional capacities and competencies in the country’s ever-expanding pharmaceutical sector.
The course length is of 6 months (300 hours) and targets 175 participants.
This diploma program will serve pharma industry professionals and fresh B.Pharm. graduates, equipping them with advanced knowledge and skills of quality assurance, manufacturing compliance, and international regulatory standards to enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global market.
By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, this initiative advances Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
