Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today spoke at an event titled Dhaka China Day 2026 organized by Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh at East West University.
Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today said Bangladesh needs to increase investment to encourage students who go abroad for higher education to return to the country.
“The country must reverse the trend of brain drain by utilizing its talented students and developing human resources,” he told an event titled Dhaka China Day 2026 organized by Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh at a East West University here.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen also spoke.
Highlighting China’s development experience, the minister said Bangladesh could learn from the Chinese model in artificial intelligence, computer technology, technical and vocational education, robotics and industry-academia cooperation.
He said Bangladesh needs to strengthen cooperation with China in vocational and technical education.
During his recent visit to China, Bangladesh signed several memorandums of understanding related to vocational and technical training, he said.
The minister also emphasized the importance of introducing a third language alongside Bangla and English.
He said China has expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh in introducing third-language education at universities and other educational institutions.
Referring to Bangladesh’s demographic advantage, the minister said the country’s young population represents an important opportunity to develop human capital.
Bangladeshi students demonstrate strong knowledge, perseverance and hard work abroad, and their skills should be utilized for national development, he said.
He also highlighted the need to establish stronger links between educational institutions and industries.
Referring to China’s experience, he said technical, vocational and polytechnic institutions could work more closely with industries to prepare students for employment.
The minister said Bangladesh is also focusing on emerging sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, robotics and the blue economy.
He noted that China’s experience in solar energy and other advanced technologies could help Bangladesh develop these sectors.
On the government’s education agenda, the minister said Bangladesh is working to transform the country into an education hub.
Milon recalled that Malaysian students once came to Bangladesh for higher education, while Bangladesh now sends many students to Malaysia.
He said Malaysia’s experience of sending students abroad and subsequently bringing them back could provide a model for Bangladesh.
The minister said the government is increasing investment in education and undertaking reforms from primary to tertiary levels.
He mentioned planned changes to the curriculum, improvements in primary education, greater oversight of universities and efforts to strengthen accreditation.
“Education is the key to the success of our nation,” the minister said, stressing the need to develop the country’s human resources and strengthen Bangladesh’s education system through international cooperation.
He also called for stronger Bangladesh-China cooperation in education, human-resource development, technology and other areas, saying the two countries should continue to deepen their longstanding relationship.
