Dhaka-Bijing education ties set to drive skills, jobs and trade
Bangladesh-China education ties are set to play a greater role in developing skilled workers and expanding employment opportunities, Prime Minister’s Education and Primary and Mass Education Adviser Mahdi Amin said on Thursday.
Speaking at a symposium in Guangdong, China, he said the government planned to make technical and vocational education compulsory for all, linking classroom learning more closely with workplace requirements.
The government is looking to deepen education and industry links with China as part of a broader plan to turn Bangladesh’s large young population into a skilled workforce capable of supporting trade, investment and industrial growth.
Mahdi Amin outlined the plan at the symposium titled “Technical Education Bridging and China-Bangladesh Economic-Trade Talent Development” in Guangdong on Thursday morning.
“Our plan is to make technical and vocational education compulsory for all to connect theoretical classroom learning with the practical needs of the workplace,” he said.
He said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had made education its highest priority as part of its commitment to meeting people’s expectations and implementing its election manifesto.
The government has also taken effective steps to make third-language education compulsory, with Mandarin or Chinese receiving priority, he said.
The move is intended to help Bangladesh’s young population remain competitive in global trade and the international arena.
Mahdi Amin said stronger educational exchanges between Bangladesh and China-including teacher cooperation, scholarships, curriculum development and institutional partnerships-could strengthen bilateral connectivity and create new employment opportunities.
“Developing a skilled generation is essential to sustain the growing economic and trade partnership between Bangladesh and China,” he said.
The government wants to develop human resources with expertise in international trade, cross-border e-commerce, supply chain management, financial technology and modern logistics.
“Our plan is to use the experience of reputed Chinese educational institutions to develop a modern and skilled generation capable of directly leading Bangladesh-China bilateral trade, investment and industrial sectors,” he said.
As part of the initiative, Bangladesh plans to increase scholarships and higher education opportunities for its young population at leading Chinese universities and technical institutions.
The government also plans to redesign technical curricula around the practical requirements of reputed Chinese educational institutions and modern industries, introduce internationally recognised courses and establish joint certification, the adviser said.
Direct partnerships are also planned between Bangladeshi polytechnic and technical education institutions and leading Chinese industries and industry partners.
Mahdi Amin said the government wanted to incorporate the requirements of Chinese industries into academic curricula and create a modern employment exchange network between the two countries.
The aim is to enable students to secure internships, skills development and decent employment opportunities in domestic and international Chinese industrial zones immediately after completing their studies, he said.
The government also plans to establish modern laboratories and practical training workshops in Bangladesh focusing on artificial intelligence, robotics, smart manufacturing and emerging technologies.
