State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak said on Sunday that the government is promoting innovations and entrepreneurship among the young generation to help them become self-reliant, reports BSS.
"The ICT Division is encouraging youths to generate innovative ideas to become self-reliant by utilising information and communication technology," he told the inaugural ceremony of the 2nd chapter of 'Student to Start-up' competition at ICT Tower in Agargaon in the city.
The Young Bangla, a leading youth platform, and the Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA) Project under the ICT Division arranged the event, according to a press release.
The state minister said that at present, the country is enjoying demographic dividend, as 70 per cent of the country's total population of around 165 million are now under 35 years.
Around 45 million students are studying at different educational institutions and every year around 2.0 million youths enter the work field, he added.
Palak also said only government and private enterprises will not be enough to ensure employments for them.
The government is promoting entrepreneurship to help the youths become self-reliant and enable them to create employment opportunities for others, he added.
An innovation ecosystem will be built in the country utilising innovations in the ICT sector, said the state minister.
He said Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centre will be set up in every university to make the students skilled in IT.
He also said the government has earmarked Tk 1.0 billion budgetary allocation in the current fiscal to support entrepreneurs. Besides, the IDEA project has got an allocation of Tk 1.0 billion.
Chaired by Bangladesh Computer Council Executive Director Parthapratim Deb, the function was also addressed by Bangladesh University Grants Commission Member Dr Sajjad Hossain, IDEA Project Director Syed Mojibul Huq and Centre for Research and Information (CRI) Associate Coordinator Tonmoy Ahmed.
This time, students of schools and colleges will also be able to participate in the 2nd chapter of 'Student to Start-up' competition along with university students.
The competition will be held at about 25 places across the country.
Any Bangladeshi student will be able to register with their invention for the contest.
For online registration, students may apply through the following link -- www.s2s.startupbangladesh.gov.bd. They may also visit the Startup Bangladesh Website -- www.startupbangladesh.gov.bd.
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