Employers prioritising problem-solving skills over academic achievement: Dr Fouzul Kabir

Securing employment based solely on academic results has become increasingly difficult, as employers now prioritise problem-solving abilities, said Dr Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Interim Government for the Ministries of Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

He made the remark while addressing the opening ceremony of the EWU Job Fair 2025 as the chief guest at the Manzur Elahi Auditorium of East West University (EWU) on Saturday.

Dr Khan said that obtaining a job based on academic degrees alone has become challenging, as global companies such as Google and Microsoft now look for candidates’ problem-solving capabilities and practical skills.

Citing an example, he said one of his former students secured a job at Google despite having a low CGPA and was later promoted to a higher position, solely due to his strong problem-solving skills.

He added that job fairs should be transformed into career fairs, creating opportunities not only for job seekers but also for future entrepreneurs and political leaders.

“We need honest politicians. Politics is not for extortion; it is for the well-being of people,” he said.

Dr Khan noted that, globally, most wealthy individuals derive their wealth from innovation and manufacturing.

“In Bangladesh, however, some have accumulated wealth by ransacking government offices and using political connections,” he observed.

Addressing the event as a special guest, Barrister Nihad Kabir, former President of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka, said the job fair reflects strong collaboration between industry and academia.

“Job fairs create opportunities for students to ask questions to potential employers and learn about them,” she added.

She said the purpose of a university should not be limited to producing manpower for the job market.

“If we do not provide the right atmosphere for our students, how will they become thinkers and entrepreneurs?” she said.

As an employer, she said, the first assessment is of a candidate’s basic knowledge and communication skills, followed by their problem-solving capabilities.

“If you can make a good impression within the first minute of an interview, it helps your chances,” she noted, adding that a good CGPA is not the only criterion for selection.

Delivering the concluding remarks, Professor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of East West University and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank, said the university began organising such events in 2003 to help students secure jobs.

He emphasised the need for expanding renewable energy, but noted that EWU could not proceed with an IDCOL-supported renewable energy initiative because the agency had demanded undertakings from all members of the trustee board.

He said the government should prepare a mega plan to extract coal from underground in Dinajpur, considering the country’s electricity needs. The plan must also include a fair compensation mechanism for landowners, he added.

Dr Farashuddin noted that SMEs contribute up to 30 per cent of GDP in Japan and other developed economies.

“We need to support at least three million SME enterprises. Whether through the SME Foundation or other organisations, they must receive training on proposal writing and access to funding,” he said.

The government could allocate funds at 2 per cent interest, possibly under an Islamic Mudaraba financing model, he suggested, adding that such initiatives would significantly contribute to GDP growth.

He said EWU aims to reduce social disparities by offering various scholarships funded from the university’s own income.

In his welcome address, Professor Shams Rahman, Vice-Chancellor of East West University, said that 70 leading firms from sectors including finance and manufacturing are participating in this year’s fair to recruit young graduates suited to their needs.

“This job fair brings industry needs and university offerings under one umbrella,” he said, adding that the fair aligns with the university’s vision of providing quality education at an affordable cost while producing competent graduates for the job market.

He said the university also offers skills training beyond the standard curriculum.

The current teacher-student ratio of 1:29 meets global standards, the vice-chancellor added.

The job fair starts at 10:00 am and continues till 6:00 pm.

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