Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mahboob Ali
The University Grants Commission (UGC) should mandate that only PhD holders can teach at the tertiary level. Admissions should prioritize critical thinking and aptitude instead of relying solely on SSC and HSC results. A significant part of the educational reform strategy is the proposed merger of the Dhaka School of Economics with the BIDS Graduate School. This merger should focus on advanced research exclusively for PhD holders, concentrating resources on impactful studies while maintaining teaching integrity. The emphasis must shift away from commercial pressures, preserving intellectual rigor and mentorship that are essential for nurturing capable and principled citizens. Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) should integrate character-building initiatives, ensuring that graduates are not only skilled but also socially aware.
To realize these ambitious strategies, Bangladesh must mobilize $50 billion by 2040. Funding sources could include diaspora bonds, taxes on RMG exports, halal products, light engineering, pharmaceuticals, and loans from international financial institutions like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the New Development Bank (NDB), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Immediate actions from 2026 to 2028 should include launching 10 “Skills Factories” that combine technical training with ethical leadership development. Additionally, digitizing all land records via blockchain by 2028 and enacting the Export Diversification Act will provide tax incentives for non-RMG sectors
The comprehensive framework outlined here aims to achieve significant outcomes by 2050. Goals include reducing the poverty rate to 15%, tripling exports to $150 billion, and doubling GDP per worker to $6,500. Furthermore, the framework anticipates generating $50 billion annually from increased productivity in the technology sector. The legacy of these efforts should be an economy where growth is driven not only by efficiency but also by employability. Workers must be equipped with technical mastery and unwavering ethics, fostering pride in their contributions to society.
To effectively implement these strategies, Bangladesh needs to follow a phased approach. The first phase, Establishing Foundations (2026-2027), will involve forming a National Productivity Council chaired by the Prime Minister to coordinate all reforms. The National AI Act and Export Diversification Act will be enacted to create incentives for non-RMG sectors. Three pilot Skills Factories will be launched in Gazipur, Chattogram, and Jashore by June 2026, collaborating with German technical partners and local industry stakeholders.
The second phase, Scaling Up (2027-2028), will see the number of Skills Factories expand to 10 locations nationwide, focusing on areas with high unemployment. Faculty development will involve recruiting PhD instructors with industry experience, requiring UGC-certified training. Tech-enabled learning will include Raspberry Pi labs and VR classrooms, supported by a Digital Credit Scheme for worker upskilling. An AI job-matching platform will provide job opportunities for top graduates.
The third phase, Integrating Systems (2028-2029), will synchronize infrastructure projects with skills initiatives. Key infrastructure upgrades, such as the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway and blockchain automation at Mongla Port, will be completed. Additionally, the reopening of the airport in Cumilla must be prioritized. The first modular nuclear reactors will also be installed to contribute to clean energy targets.
To maintain high standards, monthly competency assessments will be administered by the National Skills Development Authority. These assessments will include practical tests and ethics evaluations. Funding will be tracked through blockchain technology to prevent corruption and ensure transparency. By December 2029, the strategy aims to train 500,000 workers in Industry 6.0 skills, reduce youth underemployment by 12%, and generate over $300 million in new export revenue from digital jobs. Maintaining a teacher-student ratio of 1:15 will ensure effective mentorship and high-quality education.
Through these comprehensive strategies, Bangladesh can transform its economy, ensuring that growth is inclusive and sustainable. The revival of education as a public good is central to this vision, fostering a workforce capable of driving a high-value economy. Bangladesh’s future hinges on rejecting transactional education. The nation must revive the tradition of teachers as mentors who shape capable, principled citizens. By ensuring that progress uplifts all segments of society and not just the privileged few, Bangladesh can chart a course toward sustainable growth and inclusive development. By implementing plans through a combined top-down and bottom-up approach, Bangladesh stands poised to transform its economy and create a brighter future for all its citizens.
The strategy addresses multiple core measurement challenges by incorporating broader indicators of progress beyond GDP. It emphasizes linking efficiency with poverty reduction through a productivity target of $6,500 per worker, aiming for a 15% poverty rate by 2050. Blockchain land reforms are designed to reduce asset ownership inequalities and promote social equity. The shift to modular nuclear energy aims for 30% clean energy by 2035, emphasizing environmental sustainability. The human-centered HDI plus approach integrates a 30% character-building curriculum in Skills Factories to enhance ethics and civic responsibility.
Bangladesh’s pursuit of ASEAN membership, alongside revitalizing BIMSTEC and SAARC, is crucial for its economic transformation. ASEAN’s $3.6 trillion economy provides opportunities for market diversification, especially in pharmaceuticals and digital exports. Revitalizing BIMSTEC can enhance logistics and energy security, supporting regional connectivity. Addressing the deadlock in SAARC through selective collaboration can foster joint efforts in climate resilience and health security. Together, these regional engagements can strengthen Bangladesh’s role in regional stability, creating employment and economic growth.