DHAKA : Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today said optimum importance will be given to research, innovation, modern technology, infrastructure development and technical education aiming to advance the textile sector, one of the main driving forces of the country's economy.

He said there is no alternative to producing skilled textile engineers and researchers to take Bangladesh to the top position in global competition.

The education minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the orientation programme of the new students of Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) here.

He said the students of BUTEX will lead the country in the future.

He said this year, about 20 students of BUTEX have been recommended for various cadres of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS), especially in the administration, foreign affairs and police cadres. 

In addition, Milon said, former students of BUTEX are showing leadership at home and abroad.

He said Bangladesh is currently the world's second largest exporter of ready-made garments. 

It is a matter of pride to see 'Made in Bangladesh' written on the clothes of various international brands abroad, he said. 

However, the minister said, international quality brands need to be created in the domestic market as well and for this, innovative capacity needs to be enhanced.

He told the students that they would lead this future innovation.

Milon said textile engineering is basically a science-based field, so establishing modern research laboratories, especially artificial intelligence (AI)-run labs in this sector, is the demand of time. 

More funds will be allocated to ensure high-quality research in the textile university, he said.

The education minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is giving top priority to education, especially technical and engineering education.

One of the government's goals is to transform the country's large population into human resources, he said, adding that even though the population of the developed world is decreasing, the Bangladesh population is an important resource, which needs to be turned into skilled manpower.

Milon said if there is a need to expand the infrastructure of the textile university, the government will build a new building there. 

Although only 650 students are currently enrolled to the university, there is a need to increase the number of seats in the future, he said.  

The minister said in the past, foreigners, especially Indian and Sri Lankan citizens, used to play important roles in many textile industries and buying houses in the country. 

However, he said, Bangladeshi students are not lagging behind in any way in terms of talent and that is why domestic engineers and skilled manpower need to be developed to manage the country's textile sector.

He said the government is working to develop students as skilled and modern citizens from primary education onwards. 

Mid-day meals, uniforms, and sports-based joyful education are being introduced in primary schools, he said. 

He said importance of technical education is being increased from the sixth grade and a revised national curriculum will be implemented in 2027 and a new national curriculum will be implemented in 2028.

Milon said the government is giving importance to eliminating session jams to reduce time wastage in the education system. 

He said the government is planning to establish two specialised government colleges to increase the opportunities for higher education for diploma engineers. 

Currently, he said, their higher education opportunities are limited and the cost of studying in private universities is very high, so the government is taking initiatives in this regard.

The BUTEX vice-Chancellor, teachers, students and officials were present.