Technical Education Key to Demographic Dividend

Technology-driven skills development and technical education can play a central role in transforming Bangladesh’s young population into a productive demographic dividend, Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain, MP, has said. He said educated and skilled young people would become valuable assets not only for Bangladesh but for the entire world.

[Dhaka, August 12, 2026] Wednesday, the minister made the remarks as the chief guest while inaugurating a two-day International Youth Day programme organized by Save the Children at Aloki in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

The minister said the government wants to build an inclusive and humane Bangladesh. He stressed that the vision should not remain merely an idea but must be established in practice, which requires the participation of people from all sections of society.

To properly utilize the demographic dividend, Professor Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain emphasized technical education alongside general education and urged young people to become entrepreneurs.

He said the government is providing young people with training in various trades through different institutions. Those who lack the financial capacity to start businesses are being provided seed money. He added that the government has allocated Tk 500 crore in the budget for a startup fund to encourage young people to become entrepreneurs.

Speakers at the programme encouraged participants to develop demand-driven skills aligned with the job market and strengthen networking opportunities. They also urged young people to play active roles as students, skilled workers, entrepreneurs, leaders, decision-makers and drivers of change.

Also present at the programme were Save the Children Country Director Suman Sengupta, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Jaouad Azaoui, University of Liberal Arts Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Samsad Mortuza, along with representatives of development partners, NGOs, civil society, universities, private organizations and the media.
//DBTech/RH/SME//