The government plans to transform the National University into a leading centre for skills development, innovation and workforce preparation, moving beyond its traditional role as a degree-awarding institution, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Primary and Mass Education Mahdi Amin said on Sunday.
Speaking at the inauguration of a teacher training programme on skill-based education in Dhaka, the adviser said the university is being reshaped to better prepare students for employment and meet the country`s growing demand for skilled human resources.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally launched the programme at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.
Mahdi Amin said the reform process, initiated over the past few months, is aimed at making higher education more practical, career-oriented and aligned with real-world needs.
As part of the transformation, authorities are expanding vocational and technical education opportunities, introducing career counselling and job placement services, strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and industries, and increasing internship and apprenticeship programmes.
He said plans are also underway to establish language centres and encourage students to learn additional foreign languages to improve their competitiveness in the global job market.
Other initiatives include environmental and community-based programmes such as "Learning with Happiness" and the "One Student, One Tree" campaign.
Highlighting the university`s scale, the adviser said the National University currently serves more than 3 million students through 2,285 affiliated colleges across Bangladesh, making it one of the world`s largest higher education networks.
He noted that despite producing a large number of graduates every year, many young people still face challenges in securing jobs, making educational reform a national priority.
According to Mahdi Amin, improving the National University system is not only about academic reform but also about strengthening employment opportunities, human resource development and economic growth.
He said the university plays a vital role in expanding access to higher education beyond major cities by reaching students in districts and upazilas across the country.
The adviser also expressed confidence that ongoing measures would help reduce session backlogs, modernise examination systems and improve the overall quality of education through greater use of digital technologies.
Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque and National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A.S.M. Amanullah also attended the programme.
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