Abubakar Hanip
can we really be proud? These statistics suggest otherwise. Why are our youth unemployed or underemployed, even after earning degrees from prestigious universities? The answer lies partly in our education system. I wouldn't call it flawed entire ly, but there are gaps that contribute to the creation of a large years of experience, the main reason is the lack of skill-based,
reducing opportunities for unskilled labor. Therefore, students must be trained for mid- and senior-level responsibilities from the start. This is why mastering agentic Al-Al capable of independent decision-making and actions-is crucial. Those who understand and apply it will advance.
A youth merely drive
few days ago, a Facebook post with a screenshot caught my attention. A Bangladeshi expatriate in Bangladeshi Taka after driving Uber for 12 hours. He
expressed satisfaction with this income and stated that this was the reason he risked his life to travel across the sea to Europe. According to him, carning 21,000 Taka in one month back home would have been nearly impossible.
work-oriented education.
Some might argue that technical education and vocational training exist. But it is insufficient, as statistics prove. We must reform the general curriculum in schools, colleges, and uni- There is no doubt that his statement reflects reality. Yet, risk-versities to ensure students acquire practical skills while ing one's life to migrate overseas is not an acceptable solution. studying, so they can enter the workforce immediately after Nevertheless, for that young man, it seemed that his life had or even before graduation. Universities must teach class- finally added up this way. Is this truly reality? Certainly not. Risky migration should rather be discouraged.
But the question is: what will our youth do? Even with higher degrees from universities, they remain unemployed. And if they do get jobs, these are often below their qualification level, offering meager salaries. So, earning 169 euros in 12 hours in France feels like a huge achieve- ment to them, even though it is just the minimum wage there.
Despite this, everyone wants to go abroad. According to the third series of the British Council's Next Generation Bangladesh research. which surveyed 3,081 people aged 18-35 from various socio-economic backgrounds, 55% of Bangladeshi youth wish to go abroad for higher education and employment. Imagine, more than half of a country's youth aspire to leave! The same study found that 42% expressed concern over unemployment at home. The consequence? A significant portion of educated, semi-educat- ed, or unskilled youth are underutilized, and 32% even engage in crimes. Yet, compared to this, crossing the sea to carn abroad is considered less concerning. Here, I want to raise another question: when our youth go abroad, will they only drive Uber or work in hotels and restau- rants for slightly better pay than in Bangladesh? Certainly not. Then what will they do? After completing their studies, where will Bangladeshi youth end up? How will their future be deter mined? These questions led me to the 2023 Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics survey, which showed that nearly 40% of youth are inactive neither studying, working, nor receiving any training. The inactivity rate is even higher among women,
at 60.85%.
We pride ourselves on youth, which has driven movements and revolutions. We also celebrate our demographic dividend and girls' educational achievements. But when the young pop- ulation is crushed by unemployment and drawn toward crime,
room lessons alongside workplace-relevant skills.
At Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST) in the United States, we are successfully applying this model. Students gain deep subject knowledge in the class- room while acquiring hands-on, lab-based skills. Our faculty are both scholars and industry experts, actively working in their fields, with an average of 18 years of professional expe- rience. They impart both theoretical and practical skills, giving students up-to-date industry knowledge. Classrooms become replicas of workplaces, preparing students for higher-level roles and careers. This blended model focuses on the triple mission of degree, skill, and career. Graduates do not start with
entry-level jobs-they can enter mid- or senior-level roles using their degrees and skills.
Entry-level jobs are nearly gone, largely replaced by genera- tive Al. Companies use Al agents to perform basic tasks,
Uber abroad? Will they do unskilled work? The answer is no. Our youth should go abroad or work locally with technologi- cal and professional skills to contribute to large-scale projects, participate in global job portals, and access outsourcing oppor- tunities. Online international degrees and vendor certifications further prepare them for global work.
WUST's Global Campus offers fully online bachelor's and master's programs accessible worldwide. Students can earn American degrees from Bangladesh, gaining hands-on lab experience. Combining degrees with skills equips youth for advanced careers. The new government must ignite the light of hope. Youth will not only seek jobs they will create them. WUST's Business Innovation and Incubation Center fosters entrepreneurship, pro- viding funding and support to turn ideas into suc- cessful ventures, thereby increasing employ-
ment.
My recommendation to the government: focus on the National University, home to over 3.4 million students, many of whom struggle after gradua- tion. Transforming it into an applied, skill-orient- ed university could make it an accessible hub for producing capable human resources, ready for advanced careers and contributing to Bangladesh's future.
Students should also focus on building their per- sonal brand early. Use social media to share expertise, post podcasts, videos, or articles. A strong LinkedIn profile introduces students to potential employers globally.
Finally, English language proficiency and communication skills are essential. Today's competition is global. To become world citizens, students must master English for professional and business communication. Fluent conversational and busi- ness English skills will empower students to compete on the global stage.
Youth hold immense energy, countless dreams, and the power to transform the future. With proper guidance and trust, the new government can ignite the light of hope, making youth Bangladesh's greatest asset.
The writer is a founder & CEO, PeopleNTech and Chairman & Chancellor, Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST).
Views expressed in this article are the author's own.