Experts urge inclusion of contemporary issues in BUTEX MBA curriculum to groom future apparel CEOs

FE Online Report

Experts have called for the inclusion of contemporary industry issues in the MBA curriculum at the Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) to enhance managerial capabilities and groom future CEOs for the country’s apparel sector.

The recommendations came at a discussion titled “Curriculum Revisit for the MBA in Textiles and Fresher’s Reception Program 2025”, held at a city hotel on Friday night. The event was organised by the Department of Textile Engineering Management at BUTEX.

Dhaka University Marketing Department Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman presented the keynote paper, while BUTEX Professor Dr Md Masum moderated the session.

Speaking as a special guest, David Hasnat, Chairman and CEO of Viyellatex Group, said engineers often approach problems only from a technical perspective, but they must also understand production costs, time management, and resource efficiency.

Sharing his personal experience, he recalled, “After completing my MBA in 1988, I enrolled in an apparel business course at a private university for Tk 10,000. At the time, I thought it was a waste of money. But ten years later, when I entered the industry, I realised how valuable that course had been.”

He urged MBA students to remain dedicated, embrace continuous learning, and uphold ethical standards. “When starting out, focus on excellence, not earnings,” he said.

Hasnat noted that he began his apparel business with just a 10% stake in a partnership. Within six years, the other partners transferred their shares to him, allowing him to diversify into other sectors, including power.

Masco Group Executive Director Mahbub Milton said the MBA programme should be redesigned to create future industry leaders, particularly CEOs. “This requires active engagement from more stakeholders,” he added.

He stressed that industry owners expect executives to deliver value through higher productivity, reduced wastage, and cost efficiency. He also advised students to focus on horizontal growth rather than just vertical promotion, while highlighting the importance of HR, human development, and emotional intelligence in reaching top positions.

BUTEX Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Zulhash Uddin, the chief guest, said the MBA curriculum was designed to prepare students for top leadership roles in the apparel industry. “No other university in Bangladesh offers such a specialised course, and it will play a vital role in producing future industry leaders,” he said.

RH Corporation Executive Director Hafizur Rahman said the updated curriculum has been tailored to address real-world business challenges. “This programme will nurture true entrepreneurs and industry leaders,” he noted.

He explained that the course was introduced after it was observed that many textile engineers lacked career advancement opportunities due to limited managerial knowledge. “This programme was designed to bridge that gap and develop leadership skills to eventually produce future CEOs,” he added.

He also highlighted the intense competition for admission, given the programme’s targeted focus on textile engineers. “In Bangladesh, most people want to work from 8 am to 5 pm, but that is not enough for personal or professional growth,” he remarked.

Anwar Hossain, Managing Director of Grameen Knitwear, said Bangladesh’s garments industry still suffers from weaknesses in technical capacity. “The right combination of technical expertise and management knowledge is essential to lead the apparel sector,” he observed.

He called for more discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaboration to strengthen this combination. “China leads the global apparel industry because of its technological edge,” he added.

Hossain also pointed to gaps in HR knowledge, especially in labour laws and international communication skills. He recommended the inclusion of supply chain management, waste management, procurement, and strategic planning in the curriculum.

Nasimul Gani, Regional Manager of Sainsbury’s, observed that Bangladeshi students are more inclined toward merchandising roles, while showing little interest in technical departments. “As a result, many of those technical positions are filled by foreign professionals,” he said.

“Although we have strong technical expertise, we lag behind due to weak communication skills,” he added.

Professor Dr Md Ahsan Habib, Dean of the Faculty of Textile Management and Business Studies, said initiatives are underway to make the course more industry-oriented.

Meanwhile, Dr Towhidul Islam, Professor at the Department of Law, University of Dhaka, emphasised that students should be well-versed in contract law, labour law, and intellectual property rights.

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