The President has called upon the country’s higher education institutions to focus on developing a skilled workforce by prioritizing world-class, job-oriented, and technical education, a press release said.
The President stated that there is no alternative to emphasizing job-oriented, technical, and engineering education—at all levels, including higher education—to address the nation’s unemployment problem. He stressed the need to overhaul the higher education system by prioritizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge digital technologies.
He made this call today at Bangabhaban, during a courtesy call by a delegation from Eastern University. The delegation, led by Md. Ismail Zabiullah—the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Public Administration and a member of the university’s Board of Trustees—included Barrister Shafayet Mohammad Raju, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Professor Dr. Farid Ahmad Sobhani, Vice-Chancellor; Abul Kashem Haider, Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees; and Abul Khayer Chowdhury, a board member and former chairman.
During the meeting, the delegation briefed the President on the university’s progress in education, research, and other areas, as well as the initiatives taken to maintain international standards. They noted that the university has achieved the distinction of winning the Bangladesh rounds of the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition four times, including in 2026.
The delegation also informed the President that Eastern University has spent over 1 billion BDT (100 crore Taka) to provide scholarships to meritorious students. These funds have been utilized to foster talent, expand higher education opportunities for academically gifted yet financially disadvantaged students, and enhance the overall quality of education.
The President emphasized that private universities must keep pace with the latest advancements in knowledge, science, and technology. He urged these institutions to strengthen the country’s standing on the international stage by improving the quality of higher education, expanding research, and bolstering innovative activities. The delegation congratulated the President on assuming his office and invited him to attend the upcoming convocation ceremony of Eastern University in his capacity as the university’s Chancellor. The President assured them that he would participate in the convocation.
The President’s Military Secretary and Press Secretary were present during the meeting.
