Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said the future development of Bangladesh depends on the education sector.
He said there is no alternative to investment in education to develop human resources, improve global competitiveness and turn the population into assets.
The minister made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at a cultural programme and graduation dinner held at the Shaheed Yamin Auditorium of the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) in the Mirpur area of Dhaka on Wednesday night.
He said Bangladesh has vast resources, but it is lagging behind in one area — education.
“If we can develop the education sector, Bangladesh will definitely move ahead in global competition,” he said.
He stressed that the country’s youth is its biggest strength and highlighted the importance of technical and vocational education to build skilled human resources.
Milon also said he relinquished his US citizenship after returning to the country to take part in the 1996 elections and later served as State Minister for Education.
“I returned home to serve the country, not for corruption. I did not give up my US citizenship for corruption,” he said.
The minister said there is strong potential to turn Bangladesh into a regional hub for higher education.
He said many high-quality foreign universities are interested in operating in Bangladesh.
“We can create an education hub like Malaysia. Renowned universities of the world want to come to our country. We must use this opportunity,” he said.
He added that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working to bring major changes in the education sector, guided by the education philosophy of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
A total of 549 graduates took part in the programme. Of them, 155 were military students and 394 were civilian students.
Teachers, students, graduates and invited guests attended the event.
