Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said the talent of Bangladeshi citizens is in no way inferior to that of any other nation in the world.
He made the remarks on Wednesday morning while addressing the “MGI-MAA Scholarship 2026” distribution ceremony held at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University (DU).
The scholarship programme was jointly organised by Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) and DU Marketing Alumni Association (MAA) to mark a decade of their joint initiative in recognising the merit and competence of Marketing Department students.
Addressing the event as chief guest, Milon highlighted Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s foresight regarding technical education.
Recalling a personal experience from his research stay in Malaysia, the education minister shared that when he met Tarique in London with his higher studies proposal, the prime minister reviewed the topic, altered “Higher” to “Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET),” and remarked on his vision to deploy him in the ministry.
Reiterating confidence in national potential, Milon stressed that Almighty Allah has not deprived anyone of intellect, noting that Bangladeshi people possess the same capability as those in the developed world.
Citing China’s progress through self-reliance, he asserted that Bangladesh would similarly advance the nation through its own efforts.
Milon expressed regret over the lack of focus on academia-industry linkage among major corporations in Bangladesh.
Pointing to China’s model where polytechnic institutes operate directly inside industrial units, allowing industry engineers to teach while students gain practical training, he called for establishing similar integration in Bangladesh.
He applauded Meghna Group of Industries for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) educational scholarship scheme and urged other corporate houses to step forward with similar support.
Speaking at the event, DU Vice-Chancellor ABM Obaidul Islam observed that a university’s ultimate success is not confined to classrooms, research, or degrees, but is fulfilled when its alumni and society unite to assist students in achieving their dreams.
Expressing heartfelt thanks to Meghna Group of Industries for establishing a Tk1 crore scholarship fund for students, the vice-chancellor emphasised that the initiative represents both financial aid and a vital boost to student confidence and inspiration.
Highlighting DU’s financial constraints, the vice-chancellor urged alumni and corporate bodies to help establish a “Central Fund” or “Endowment Fund.”
He stated that public universities cannot operate solely on government funding, which has led to setbacks in research and other areas due to budget limitations.
He called upon successful business leaders and alumni, including Meghna Group, to contribute towards a centralized university fund to provide research incentives, set up laboratories, and support healthcare and welfare for faculty members and students.
The ceremony was chaired by Ashraful Islam Chowdhury, president of the DU MAA. Other notable figures present included Meghna Group Director Barrister Tasnim Mostafa, DU Pro-VC (Administration) Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane, DU Pro-VC (Education) Abdus Salam, Convener of DU White Panel (Sada Dal) and MAA Vice-President Morshed Hasan Khan, and DU Marketing Department Chairman Serajul Hoque.
