Degrees Must Lead to Skills

Dear Sir,

For many families in Bangladesh, university education is an investment in a better future. Yet an uncomfortable question is becoming harder to ignore: does a degree mean that a young person is ready for the world of work?

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics’ Labour Force Survey 2024, Bangladesh had 8.85 lakh unemployed university graduates in 2024, while the graduate unemployment rate stood at 13.5 per cent�"the highest among all education levels. Around one-third of graduates remained unemployed for up to two years while searching for work.

These figures point to a deeper mismatch between education and employment. Universities need to emphasise communication, research, digital literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving. Internships, fieldwork, practical projects and interaction with employers should become integral to higher education.

Bangladesh does not simply need more degree holders. It needs graduates who can think, communicate, adapt and contribute. A degree should be more than a certificate; it should prepare young people for a changing world.

Mohima Khan
Student, Department of Folklore and Social Studies
Islamic University, Bangladesh