Education Envoy Emphasizes Essential Role of Science, Technology, and Technical Training

Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiq-ul-Abrar, the Education Adviser to the interim government, has underscored the critical importance of science, technology, and technical education for the country’s youth. Speaking on Monday, July 7, at Jamia Islamia Alim Madrasa in Gokuldasherbagh, Bandar Upazila, Narayanganj, he said, “There is no alternative to technical education. The world is heading in a direction where we must embrace science and technology. We must ensure that along with institutional education, our students receive quality technical training.”

The event was attended by National University Vice-Chancellor ASM Amanullah, Secretary of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division Dr. Kh M Kabirul Islam, Chairman of the Bangladesh Technical Education Board Engineer Md. Ruhul Amin, Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Mia, Superintendent of Police Pratyush Kumar Majumder, and Bandar Upazila UNO Mostafizur Rahman, among others.

In his keynote address, Professor Abrar acknowledged a general reluctance toward technical education in the country. “Job opportunities are becoming increasingly limited. Opportunities for those with technical skills, both domestically and internationally, are expanding. Parents must understand that their children’s future lies in this field,” he said.

He also stressed the need for demand-driven education. “We must introduce technical education that aligns with both local and global market demands. We need to prepare our youth accordingly. The government must give special attention in this regard,” he added.

Praising the students for their role in recent political change, Professor Abrar stated, “We were denied our rights and had become mere subjects. But these students brought us freedom in July. We've been given a short-term responsibility to shape the Bangladesh they envisioned. The education we initiate must make individuals skilled, ethical, and humane.”

He further remarked, “July is a month of pride for us. I urge every educational institution to organize programs this month to remember the martyrs, thank the movement’s contributors, and support the injured. The state is doing its part, but where it cannot, we must help their families.”

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Kh M Kabirul Islam, Secretary of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division, pointed out the urgency of reform. “There are 4 million students enrolled in the National University, yet 1 million of them remain unemployed every year. Currently, there are 1.7 million students in the technical stream and 3 million in madrasas, highlighting the pressing need for technical education. Next year, technical education will be introduced in an additional 500 madrasas.”

He further noted, “Technical and madrasa education has been neglected in Bangladesh for the past 30–40 years, which is a grave strategic failure. We must increase technical education enrollment to 30 percent by 2030. The government plans to establish one technical college in every upazila. For that to happen, teachers must be committed.”

Concluding his remarks, the secretary said, “To eliminate unemployment in Bangladesh, there is no alternative to technical education. Furthermore, to enhance the overall quality of education, schooling must be made compulsory up to the 8th grade.”