The National University has moved to introduce technical courses into its curriculum to develop college students into skilled human resources capable of facing future challenges.
The initiative aims to modernise education and enhance employability among a large segment of students.
According to a press release, National University, the country’s largest higher education institution, has 2,284 affiliated colleges with over 4 million students. These students account for around 70 percent of all higher education learners in Bangladesh. Most come from middle- and lower middle-income families. Many remain unemployed after completing higher education due to outdated curricula and a lack of technical and English language skills.
To address this, the university has taken steps to update its curriculum in line with global demands and increasing competition. Alongside modernising course content, it plans to incorporate technical and skill-based courses. The university is currently reviewing and updating curricula based on Bangladesh National Qualifications Framework (BNQF) guidelines using an outcome-based approach.
Under the plan, undergraduate students will take an advanced ICT course in the second year. In the third and fourth years, they will study various job-oriented, skill-based subjects.
These include Artificial Intelligence, Social Business, Digital Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics and Computer Programming. The curriculum will also include awareness-based subjects such as Cyber Security and Digital Wellbeing.
In addition, the university will emphasise soft skills. These include Digital Communication, Cognitive Empowerment, Time Management, Productivity, Presentation, Leadership and Financial Literacy. The goal is to strengthen overall competencies and prepare students for both local and global labour markets.
The initiative is being supported by the government’s ICT Division through the a2i programme, along with UNICEF Bangladesh.
To ensure a participatory approach, a three-day workshop on curriculum development has been organised by National University, a2i and UNICEF Bangladesh. The workshop was inaugurated on Thursday at the International Mother Language Institute in Shegunbagicha.
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon inaugurated the event. He said “Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia established the National University in 1992 to address challenges in higher education management. However, those goals were not fully realised for a long time.”
He added that “The current administration’s move to introduce job-oriented education marks a milestone in the university’s history.”
The minister expressed hope that the workshop would help formulate a need-based curriculum through collaboration among public university teachers, college principals, teachers, students and industry entrepreneurs. He said this would expand employment opportunities and foster innovation among young people.
Vice-Chancellor Professor ASM Amanullah chaired the session. He said inadequate investment in education since independence has left the country behind many others. He stressed that prioritising education is now essential.
He highlighted various initiatives taken to improve quality in education and research. Over the past nearly two years, the university has signed around 30 memorandums of understanding with reputed local and international institutions.
He also noted that English, Bangladesh Studies, Culture and Identity, and ICT have already been made compulsory at the undergraduate level. Plans are underway to introduce a third language to help students face global challenges. The university is also considering establishing a world-class forensic lab to support advanced education and research.
He said “Students of the National University will play a significant role in enhancing the country’s global image in the near future, as the administration works to introduce internationally recognised modern education systems.”
At the opening session, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque, ICT Division Additional Secretary and a2i Project Director Md Abdur Rafiq, and UNICEF Bangladesh Deputy Representative Emmanuel Abrioux spoke as special guests.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Md Lutfar Rahman thanked the guests. Treasurer ATM Zafarul Azam, Registrar Molla Mahfuz Al-Hossain, deans, controllers of examinations, department heads and other senior officials were also present.
The programme began with a one-minute silence in honour of the martyrs of the Liberation War and the July uprising. Two documentaries on the National University and its founder, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, were also screened in the event.
