The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken an initiative to introduce a short-term soft skills training programme aimed at improving the employability and professional capabilities of university students across Bangladesh.
The decision was announced at a consultation meeting held at the HEAT Project Office on Thursday to prepare the training programme under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project.
The meeting was chaired by UGC Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed and attended by UGC Member Professor Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun, HEAT Project Director Professor Asaduzzaman, Dean of the University Teachers Training Academy Professor Laila Nur and other officials concerned.
The meeting was informed that the specialised programme would cover soft skills, ethics and values, employability skills and various life-oriented subjects.
Before finalising the training modules, the UGC will conduct an assessment or survey to identify students’ skill gaps and determine their actual needs.
Professor Mamun Ahmed said the framework of the programme would be finalised within the next three months.
“Students from all universities across the country will gradually be brought under this training programme. This timely initiative has been taken as part of the government’s priority to enhance students’ professional competence, ethical awareness and life skills,” he said.
The meeting also decided to launch a two-day ‘Professional Knowledge Sharing Programme’ from next month for vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors and treasurers to strengthen university administration and promote good governance.
The programme will include discussions on strategic leadership, university management, financial administration and other key areas of higher education governance.
Professor Mamun Ahmed said vice-chancellors from reputed universities around the world, along with experienced former vice-chancellors from Bangladesh, would be invited to share their expertise.
Through the exchange of experiences, university administrators in Bangladesh would gain insights into modern approaches to international higher education management, he added.
The meeting also announced a seven-day special training programme to enhance the academic and administrative skills of associate professors and professors.
Meanwhile, the UGC is updating its strategic plan for long-term reforms in the country’s higher education sector, which is expected to be finalised this month.
