Industry-Academia Integration Emphasized
State Minister Urges Tech-Driven Skills and Innovation
- Inter-ministerial digital coordination urged to eliminate duplication across national development projects
- Government, industry, and academia trinity model prioritized to commercialize technical research
- Future workforce readiness targeted through specialized technology competencies and vocational skilling
Cultivating future-ready human capital through advanced digital skills, technical research, and home-grown innovations remains central to sustainable development, stated State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki.
The policy priority was outlined on Monday, September 14, during a featured session at the 'Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026' held at the Novo Theatre auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka. The Minister called for institutionalizing structured collaboration across government bodies, industrial enterprises, and academic institutions to maximize technological efficiency.
State Minister Saki emphasized that streamlining national project implementation requires robust inter-ministerial alignment with the Planning Ministry. Eliminating systemic overlaps and project duplications through centralized oversight ensures optimal allocation of public resources while curbing operational delays and cost escalations.
"A coordinated alliance uniting industry, academia, and government—the foundational triple helix—drives sustainable national innovation," Saki noted. "Connecting university R&D outputs with concrete industrial supply demands will accelerate indigenous tech commercialization, specialized employment, and technology startups."
He also highlighted the strategic alignment of government entities (GOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), urging joint usage of shared public technology infrastructures to fast-track inclusive socio-economic development. Mobilizing youth ingenuity remains critical to transitioning toward a resilient knowledge economy, with technical expositions providing crucial cross-sector matchmaking.
The assembly welcomed guest speakers including Shikho CEO Shahir Chowdhury, Bangladesh Innovation and Information Network (BIIN) Chairman Syed Almas Kabir, National Skills Development Authority Executive Chairman Dr. Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury, Bank Asia Deputy Managing Director Akhtar Uddin Mahmood, Unilever Bangladesh Director Durdana Chowdhury, and North South University ECE Department Professor Dr. Sazzad Hossain.
//DBTech/MJU/SE/EIC//
