Innovation important source of economic growth: US envoy
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Innovation is an important source of economic growth and universities can help nurture innovative ideas needed for the flourishing of the economy of a country.
United States (US) Ambassador in Bangladesh James F Moriarty made the observation on the second day of the three-day Asian Regional Higher Education Summit at the Westin Hotel in the city Tuesday, reports UNB.
"The universities possess the skills and the knowledge resources required to nurture innovative ideas. The private sector requires the knowledge -- the universities have to solve problems, develop new products and applications, enter new markets, reduce costs and increase competitiveness", the US ambassador said.
Titled 'Higher Education's Response to Global Challenges', the brainstorming at the meet is focused on four specific global challenges for the Asia region, including food security, women's entrepreneurship, teachers' training, and natural disaster management and mitigation.
Sponsored by the USA, the summit's objective is to expand the role and impact of US and foreign higher education institutions in worldwide social and economic development, the envoy said.
The participants came from countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Tajikstan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, the United States, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam.
They discussed the building of innovative higher education partnerships, the partnership challenge, creating opportunities for public-private partnership.
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Vice-chancellor AMM Safiullah and Dhaka University Vice-chancellor SMA Faiz were also present at the summit.
United States (US) Ambassador in Bangladesh James F Moriarty made the observation on the second day of the three-day Asian Regional Higher Education Summit at the Westin Hotel in the city Tuesday, reports UNB.
"The universities possess the skills and the knowledge resources required to nurture innovative ideas. The private sector requires the knowledge -- the universities have to solve problems, develop new products and applications, enter new markets, reduce costs and increase competitiveness", the US ambassador said.
Titled 'Higher Education's Response to Global Challenges', the brainstorming at the meet is focused on four specific global challenges for the Asia region, including food security, women's entrepreneurship, teachers' training, and natural disaster management and mitigation.
Sponsored by the USA, the summit's objective is to expand the role and impact of US and foreign higher education institutions in worldwide social and economic development, the envoy said.
The participants came from countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Tajikstan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, the United States, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam.
They discussed the building of innovative higher education partnerships, the partnership challenge, creating opportunities for public-private partnership.
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Vice-chancellor AMM Safiullah and Dhaka University Vice-chancellor SMA Faiz were also present at the summit.