Bangladesh Partners with JICA to Launch B-TopSE Program for Software Engineers
To enhance the skills of software engineers in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Top Software Engineers (B-Top C) program has been launched, building on the success of the Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP), which has already created job opportunities for over 514,990 individuals. This new initiative aims to elevate over a thousand mid-level software engineers to higher competency levels. The program, a collaborative effort between the ICT Division and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is set to commence on October 20 and will run until November 2024, covering a span of 42 months.
The project was inaugurated on Thursday at the BCC conference hall in the ICT Tower, Agargaon, by Secretary of the ICT Division, Shihs Haidar Chowdhury. Notable attendees included Japan's Ambassador to Bangladesh, Iwama Kimimori; Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office, Ichiguchi Tomohide; Executive Director of BCC, Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan; Vice-Chancellor of United International University, Abul Kashem Mia; JETRO Bangladesh's Resident Representative, Ando Yuji; and Professor Saifuddin M. Tarek from the University of Dhaka. The event was presented by the Chairman of the BASIS-Japan Desk, A.K.M. Ahmedul Islam Babu.
In his keynote address, Shihs Haidar Chowdhury emphasized the government's commitment to reducing digital inequality. He stated that the government is focusing on properly placing qualified individuals to harness the potential of the ICT sector as part of category-based reforms. He highlighted the focus on not only infrastructure development but also on digital services, innovation, digital literacy, and enhancing international relations, all while collaborating with the private sector. Chowdhury expressed that while the B-Top C program may not be extensive, it will make a significant contribution.
JETRO Country Representative Ando Yuji remarked that through initiatives like TechTock, Bangladesh has become a top partner for JICA by eliminating barriers in the ICT sector. This program will provide training opportunities for over 1,000 mid-career ICT professionals and offer employment opportunities for 2,000 engineers in Japan. He stated that this will bring Bangladesh a step closer to producing highly skilled software engineers for the next generation.
Regarding this remarkable initiative, Ichiguchi Tomohide, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh, said, “The long-standing friendship between Japan and Bangladesh is profound, and this initiative reflects that. The B-Top C program will serve as an important foundation for building the future of Bangladesh's ICT sector. By empowering the country's ICT professionals, we will create new avenues for innovation and robust global competition.” He noted that this program will be a significant milestone in establishing a strong position for Bangladesh in the global ICT arena.
During the event, a video message from Dr. Honiden Shinichi, the founder and head of the TOPC program at the National Institute of Informatics (NII) in Japan, commended the efforts of those involved in launching such initiatives in Bangladesh.
