Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said Bangladesh has the potential to become the world’s leading nation if it places strong emphasis on education and human resource development.
Addressing the orientation programme for newly admitted students of Jahangirnagar University’s 2025-26 academic session at Zahir Raihan Auditorium on Friday, he said prioritising education could transform the country’s large population into a major national asset.
“If we give importance to education, it is possible for Bangladesh to become the world’s number one nation,” he said, adding that the government was committed to developing skilled human resources.
Milon noted that the Prime Minister has given the highest priority to the education sector and stressed that both policymakers and students share responsibility in building a skilled workforce.
He also announced that the government plans to review Jahangirnagar University’s research budget in order to improve the quality of academic research.
Referring to university administration, he said the admission process would be synchronised with HSC examinations from 2027 to reduce delays for students.
On infrastructure, the minister said he had instructed the university authorities to submit a report on student issues and expressed urgency in renovating older residential halls and addressing accommodation shortages.
Highlighting demographic trends, Milon said Bangladesh’s growing population could become a strength if properly educated and skilled, contrasting it with declining populations in some other countries.
Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan presided over the programme.
Pro-VC (Academic) Professor Dr Md Shamsul Alam, Pro-VC (Admin) Professor Dr Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Treasurer Professor Dr M Abdur Rab, teachers, officials and student representatives were also present there.
