North South University (NSU), in collaboration with the Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF), hosted the National Education and Innovation Dialogue 2025 on Tuesday at its auditorium and syndicate hall, a press release said Wednesday.
This event serves as a platform for thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore transformative ideas and reimagine the future of education and innovation in Bangladesh.
The dialogue was inaugurated by Chief Guest Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Honorable Adviser to the Ministry of Education and Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Professor SMA Faiz, Chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, graced the event as the Special Guest.
Following this, a plenary session titled Future of Education for an Innovative Nation was held, featuring a distinguished panel including Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor of North South University; Professor Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice Chancellor, BRAC University; Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice Chancellor, Jahangirnagar University; Iftakharul (Ifty) Islam, Founder & Chairman of Asian Tiger Capital Partners; and Shariful Islam, Founder & Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum.
Chief Guest Professor SMA Faiz, Chairman of the University Grants Commission said, “Budget and education are essential for driving innovation. The UGC is also committed to supporting private universities with their PhD programs. A hybrid model between public and private universities can be the way forward.”
Special Guest Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Adviser to the Ministry of Education, highlighted the importance of addressing systemic challenges in higher education, stating, “Our education system must evolve to equip students with the skills needed for the future.”
Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor of North South University, stated, “The global perspective on higher education is advancing rapidly, but our education system remains far behind global standards. We must integrate technology into the curriculum to keep up. Additionally, private universities should not face taxation but instead, be supported to contribute effectively to national progress.”
Professor Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice Chancellor of BRAC University, said, “Students should be the focus of knowledge creation. Unfortunately, we are not fostering this within them. We must eliminate academic bureaucracy and encourage foreign universities to operate here to increase competition. At the same time, national universities should not be neglected—they should specialize in specific fields to better serve the nation.”
Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, remarked, “We need to focus on producing skilled graduates by incorporating vocational courses into our curriculum. Beyond technical skills, values such as virtue and honesty are also essential for personal and professional growth.”
Iftakharul (Ifty) Islam, Founder & Chairman of Asian Tiger Capital Partners, said, “Three critical challenges for fostering an innovation ecosystem are the lack of opportunity, wealth disparity, and the absence of a democratic voice. As we navigate an era of rapid AI innovation, Bangladesh must position itself to remain globally competitive by leveraging the potential of its youth population.”
Shariful Islam, Founder & Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum, addressed, “Education should help individuals unlock their potential and enable us to rise collectively as a nation. Building a better country begins with ensuring that education remains a fundamental right for everyone.”
In the closing ceremony, Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, addressed, “Innovation cannot be ignored. Even small innovations can have a significant impact on the economy. We have educated young people who need to find a way out through the economic system and contribute to the country’s growth on a global scale.”
