NSDA inks deal with four major universities of BD

In an effort to bolster students' professional and technical capabilities while fostering stronger ties between academia and industry, the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) signed four separate memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on Saturday with the major universities of Bangladesh.

The signing ceremony took place at the NSDA conference room in Agargaon, where agreements were inked with Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), National University (NU), and Bangladesh Open University (BOU).

This initiative builds on similar partnerships formed with the University of Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University in June 2024.

The MoUs were signed by NSDA Executive Chairman (Secretary) Nasreen Afroz, BUET Vice-Chancellor Prof A.B.M. Badruzzaman, RUET Applied Science and Humanities Dean Dr. Md Abdul Kader Zilani, NU Vice-Chancellor Prof A S M Amanullah, and BOU Vice-Chancellor Prof A B M Obaidul Islam.

Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Md Siraj Uddin Mia, attended the event as the chief guest. He underscored the government's commitment to implementing the chief adviser's "Three-Zero" strategy and stressed the importance of technology transfer to prepare the workforce for global opportunities. Citing Japan's example, he noted that language proficiency and technical skills have enabled many Bangladeshi youths to secure jobs abroad.

Siraj Uddin also spoke on the implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, urging immediate action to equip young people with the skills needed to remain competitive in an evolving job market. He called for strategic planning to leverage Bangladesh's demographic dividend and mitigate the risks of automation-induced unemployment.

As part of the MoUs, the partner universities will introduce short and professional courses, deliver workplace-oriented training, and conduct awareness programmes. The collaboration also includes developing competency standards, revising academic curricula, undertaking labour market research, and organising advanced training initiatives such as Training of Trainers (ToT) and master trainer development.

Additionally, the initiative will support student skill certification and assessment, the press release added.

Senior representatives from the participating universities, NSDA, and the Industry Skills Council (ISC) were also present at the ceremony.

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