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He was addressing the inaugural session of a training programme organised by the National University (NU) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka. The programme aims to develop 12,000 college teachers across the country into skilled educators.

Highlighting the role of the NU in expanding higher education, Tarique said more than 40 lakh students are currently studying in over 2,000 affiliated colleges across the country.

Former prime minister late Khaleda Zia established this university in 1992 to resolve the crisis in higher education management and ensure education for all, he said, adding, this institution can play the most important role in expanding modern and technology-based higher education in the country.

Highlighting the government’s various initiatives to develop young people as entrepreneurs, Tarique said, “A decision has been taken to provide ‘seed funding’ or ‘innovation grants’ through a competitive process to commercialise ‘innovative business ideas’ in colleges and universities to create business entrepreneurs from the campus.”

Urging teachers to play a role as pioneers and role models for social change, the premier said, “If the country’s students and youth are transformed into a technologically skilled workforce, a prosperous and self-reliant Bangladesh will be a role model for the world.”