Open University must go beyond awarding certificates, says education minister

Bangladesh Open University must focus on helping people complete their education and develop skills, rather than merely awarding certificates, Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Anm Ehsanul Hoque Milon said yesterday (28 October).

Speaking at a discussion marking the university’s 34th founding anniversary in Gazipur, the minister said many people begin their education but cannot complete it for various reasons, reads a press release.

“The university must encourage those who could not complete their education to resume their studies and create opportunities for them to do so,” he added.

He also said the government would make Bangladesh Open University more relevant to present-day needs as part of efforts to modernise the country’s education system.

The university was established by Begum Khaleda Zia to make education more accessible and inclusive, he said, adding that it allows people to continue learning regardless of age, even if their education has been interrupted.

The minister said the university needed to take steps to become more modern and advanced.

He also said the government is prioritising technical and vocational education to turn the country’s population into a skilled workforce.

“Recently, we signed the Beijing Agreement, which will allow us to exchange skills and experience with China and make further progress in this sector,” he said.

After the discussion, the minister inaugurated the academic activities of the Institute of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET), run by Bangladesh Open University.