Education system should aim to create skilled human resources: Education Minister

Education Minister Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Haque Milon has emphasized the need to utilize students’ talent and skills to develop them into human resources suited to the needs of the times.

He said, “The main goal of the education system should be to create skilled and qualified human resources. To ensure social and economic development through education, a link must be established between students’ knowledge and skills and the practical workplace.”

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a freshers’ reception organized by Chhatra Dal at Jagannath University on Wednesday (September 16).

Addressing the students, he said, “After entering university, they have gained freedom and must make proper use of it. Alongside their studies, they need to set their goals and start thinking from now about what they want to do in the future and how they will establish themselves.”

He said, “In today’s world, simply mastering classroom lessons is not enough. Alongside their studies, they need to develop their skills in technology, languages, innovation and various extracurricular activities.”

The minister said that new technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), nanotechnology and robotics are rapidly expanding worldwide. Major changes are needed in the education system to equip Bangladeshi students with skills in these areas.

Sharing his experience of visiting China’s technical education system, he said, “There is an effective relationship between educational institutions and industries there. Alongside their studies, consideration is also given to what areas students will develop skills in, where they will have employment opportunities and how they will become involved in innovation.”

“Our students are not inferior in terms of talent. If this talent can be utilized, Bangladesh will not only develop itself but also play an important role in the global workplace,” he added.

Emphasizing the importance of learning foreign languages, he said, “Gaining proficiency in Mandarin, Korean and Japanese will increase employment opportunities in the international labor market. To develop human resources as one of the country’s most valuable assets, it is necessary to expand language, technology and technical education.”

Regarding various demands of Jagannath University students, he said, “It is necessary to arrange indoor games and separate gymnasiums for male and female students at the university. Sports, talent, intellectual development and extracurricular activities play an important role in the overall development of students.”

He said, “Work is underway to modernize the curriculum from the primary to higher secondary level. There is a need to integrate multimedia classrooms, technological facilities for teachers, computer facilities for students, technical education and other modern educational resources into it.”

The vice chancellor of Jagannath University, teachers, Chhatra Dal leaders and freshers were present at the event.