Include youth leadership programme in curriculum

As automation is changing the global job scenario rapidly, young Bangladeshis need to prepare themselves accordingly, Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center President Ejaj Ahmad said yesterday.

He said academic institutions need to focus on developing skills among students that are required for the 21st century job market and also suggested authorities concerned to incorporate youth leadership programmes as part of the curriculum.

Ahmad was addressing a seminar on “Future of youth leadership:  Bangladesh perspective” organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) at a  city hotel.

“In future, five persons will not be required in a communications team... one individual will be able to do everything with help of automation,” he said.

Impact of automation is already visible globally and it is even more important for Bangladesh because 52 percent of the population are aged below 25, he added.

Ahmad said the government needs to increase its budget allocation for the youth sector.

Addressing the seminar, parliamentarian Nahim Razzaq of Awami League said youths have to be proactive and show urgency in achieving targets.

Emphasising the importance of student politics, he said it will be unfortunate if political activities at educational institutions are banned.

He stressed the need for formulating a national action plan in light of the National Youth Policy 2017.

Moderating the event, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said besides focusing on their studies, youths have to look at social problems and demonstrate their critical thinking.

She stressed developing tolerance and an accepting attitude towards dissenting views from childhood.

Nuzhat Choudhury, associate professor of Ophthalmology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, said there is a need for developing skills among youths.

Sayeed Zayadul Ahsan, editor of DBC News, said despite having a huge young population, there is a shortage of skilled workforce.

Farouque Ahmed, director general of Department of Youth Development, said they have been working to develop a database comprising information on the country’s young population.

Prof Shahab Enam Khan of International Relations department at Jahangirnagar University and Chief Executive Officer of iSocial, Ananya Raihan, among others, spoke at the seminar.