Govt seeks to turn brain drain into brain circulation

The government has announced a plan to convert Bangladesh’s long-standing challenge of “brain drain” into “brain circulation” by strengthening links between highly skilled expatriate Bangladeshis and the country’s education and research sectors, according to the FY27 budget document.

The initiative, identified as a key priority in education and human capital development, aims to leverage the knowledge, expertise and global experience of Bangladeshi academics and professionals living abroad to enhance local universities, research institutions and innovation networks.

Under the proposed framework, the government plans to introduce internationally recognised credit transfer systems, student exchange programmes, summer schools, visiting scholar initiatives and collaborative research projects.

These measures are designed to give Bangladeshi students greater access to world-class education, research opportunities and professional networks while pursuing their studies within the country.

“We are working to transform ‘brain drain’ into ‘brain circulation’,” Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said while placing a historic Tk 9.38 trillion national budget for FY 2026-27 in Parliament on Thursday.

He emphasized the government’s intention to create stronger links between the Bangladeshi diaspora and local academic institutions.

The budget also underscored a renewed commitment to research and innovation, with the government pledging greater support for domestic research activities aimed at addressing Bangladesh’s socioeconomic challenges through practical and sustainable solutions.

Alongside internationalisation efforts, the government plans to harmonise the country’s diverse education streams and strengthen the implementation of qualification equivalency standards.

Improving educational quality across all levels – from primary and mass education to madrasah, technical, secondary and higher education – has been identified as a national priority.

The minister said the government aims to develop students into globally competent citizens equipped with knowledge of human rights, democratic values, religious and cultural tolerance, environmental stewardship and international cooperation.

Special emphasis has also been placed on modernising madrasah education. The government plans to strengthen science, mathematics, English language and information technology instruction alongside religious studies, while introducing employment-oriented training programmes to improve graduates’ competitiveness in higher education and the job market.

Expanding access to digital learning tools and modern educational materials will also be prioritised.
Recognising teachers as the cornerstone of educational reform, the government announced plans for regular teacher training and retraining programmes, enhanced professional development opportunities and improved welfare measures.

Additional incentives will be provided to teachers serving in rural and remote areas. Framing youth development as central to Bangladesh’s future, Chowdhury said today’s children and young people would become the driving force behind the country’s next phase of growth. He stressed the state’s responsibility to create an environment where talent can flourish and opportunities are not limited by circumstance.

Invoking the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the minister said the government seeks to build a generation capable not only of shaping its own future but also creating jobs, driving innovation and leading social change.

“The generation we aspire to build will not wait for opportunity; it will create opportunity,” he said, outlining a vision of youth-led economic transformation and national progress.

The Finance minister proposed to increase the allocation for the education sector to 2 percent of GDP in the upcoming fiscal year, with a total allocation of Tk 1 lakh 36 thousand and 606 crore.

In the fiscal year 2025-26, the allocation for the education sector was Tk 87 thousand and 206 crore, equivalent to 1.39 percent of GDP.