‘Technical education key to building developed BD’

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Saturday said technical education is indispensable for building a developed Bangladesh, stressing the need to transform the country’s large population into skilled human resources.

Speaking at a programme marking the historic July Mass Uprising and honouring creative students at Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, he said the government has taken a comprehensive plan to expand skills-based education.

Dr Milon said Bangladesh’s future economic progress depends on producing skilled manpower equipped with technical knowledge and practical expertise.

“The government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has taken a comprehensive plan to transform the country’s huge population into human resources,” he said.

Addressing students at the “Commemoration of the Historic July Mass Uprising and Creative Student Award” programme, the minister said July would remain a significant chapter in the country’s history.

“The fascist Awami League wanted to destroy the country. But during July and August, our new generation, risking their lives, saved the country from that destruction. In exchange for the sacrifices of hundreds of martyrs, we have regained this Bangladesh anew,” he said.

Urging students to move beyond traditional academic learning, Milon highlighted the growing international demand for technically trained workers.

“Our expatriate workers are the main source of foreign currency earnings. If they can be equipped with technical education before being sent abroad, the country’s economy will become more prosperous and stronger,” he said.

He said the government is working to modernise technical education and plans to establish four more engineering colleges across the country. The minister also expressed his determination to transform Dhaka Government Polytechnic Institute into a model institution.

Addressing the students, he encouraged the younger generation to develop innovative abilities and contribute to building a prosperous Bangladesh.

“Young people must make proper use of this valuable period of student life and prepare themselves as the architects of tomorrow’s Bangladesh,” he said.

During the programme, Dr Milon handed over honorary crests to the family members of martyr Hamidur Rahman Majumdar (Sadman), a student of Cumilla CCN Polytechnic Institute, and martyr Samid Hossain, a student of Kishoreganj Government Polytechnic Institute.

Both students were killed during the July Mass Uprising.
The minister also draped ceremonial shawls over injured students of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute.
The programme was chaired by Dhaka Polytechnic Institute Principal Md Mustafizur Rahman Khan.

Member of Parliament for Reserved Women’s Seat-16 Sanzida Islam Tuli, Director General of the Directorate of Technical Education Abul Khayer Md Akkas Ali, Bangladesh Technical Education Board Chairman Engineer Md Ruhul Amin and others attended the event.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Md Rakibul Islam Rakib addressed the programme as the chief discussant.

Before joining the Dhaka Polytechnic event, Education Minister Dr Milon attended the Orientation-2026 programme of Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia virtually as chief guest.

At the event, he said the government wants to develop IU into a centre of excellence capable of gaining international recognition.

The orientation programme was chaired by IU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A K M Matinur Rahman.