Lack of ICT skill can impede economic growth, warns UNDP
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Naim-Ul-Karim
The targeted economic growth of Bangladesh is unlikely to be achieved if the country fails to catch up with the information and communication technology (ICT) revolution, for which a highly skilled and internationally-recognised work force is required, a study report said.
Without this, no amount of investment relating to economic growth activities will have a substantive impact in this country with a population of about 150 million (15 crore) -more than half of which are under the age of thirty-and a population density of 900 per square kilometre, the study report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) observed.
Referring to the findings of the study, sources said the country is suffering an acute shortage of skilled manpower for the ICT despite a handsome growth in the sector recorded over the years.
They also said the ICT graduates and diploma holders, according to the survey, are not gaining the skills required for the sector, as most of the private and public sector institutions are lagging behind the developed world in incorporating ICT education into their curriculum.
Conducting the survey in more than 10 universities and 15 colleges in the country, which offer bachelor's and master's degrees on ICT, it was found that the courses offered by the institutions were not at all helping their students meet the requirements sought by the employers of various sectors including the telecommunication industry.
Referring to industrial sector responses under the survey, they also said the importance of basic routing and switching networking skills will increase in near future but most of the institutions are not offering these courses.
However, the UNDP study said the lack of persons having ICT skills is hindering the overall progress of e-governance initiatives of both private and public sectors.
"The use of ICT can enhance production through easy transfer of new technologies and techniques while use of e-governance can reduce the costs of doing business for private sector actors," the study further said.
Besides, the study stressed the need for development of a skilled ICT workforce as it would allow Bangladesh, both at home and abroad, to literally bank on one of its most under-utilised human resources.
When asked, KAM Morshed, programme manager for e-governance and development of UNDP, said his organisation has already taken some programmes to create awareness and help the private and public institutions enhance their capacity.
"Our policy advocacy for expansion of ICT through developing human resources will continue, so they can meet the growing demand of the country," he said.
The UNDP is contemplating arranging another programme in connivance with the UNICEF, Morshed said, adding the issue should be addressed properly, otherwise it would take a serious turn in next few years.
The targeted economic growth of Bangladesh is unlikely to be achieved if the country fails to catch up with the information and communication technology (ICT) revolution, for which a highly skilled and internationally-recognised work force is required, a study report said.
Without this, no amount of investment relating to economic growth activities will have a substantive impact in this country with a population of about 150 million (15 crore) -more than half of which are under the age of thirty-and a population density of 900 per square kilometre, the study report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) observed.
Referring to the findings of the study, sources said the country is suffering an acute shortage of skilled manpower for the ICT despite a handsome growth in the sector recorded over the years.
They also said the ICT graduates and diploma holders, according to the survey, are not gaining the skills required for the sector, as most of the private and public sector institutions are lagging behind the developed world in incorporating ICT education into their curriculum.
Conducting the survey in more than 10 universities and 15 colleges in the country, which offer bachelor's and master's degrees on ICT, it was found that the courses offered by the institutions were not at all helping their students meet the requirements sought by the employers of various sectors including the telecommunication industry.
Referring to industrial sector responses under the survey, they also said the importance of basic routing and switching networking skills will increase in near future but most of the institutions are not offering these courses.
However, the UNDP study said the lack of persons having ICT skills is hindering the overall progress of e-governance initiatives of both private and public sectors.
"The use of ICT can enhance production through easy transfer of new technologies and techniques while use of e-governance can reduce the costs of doing business for private sector actors," the study further said.
Besides, the study stressed the need for development of a skilled ICT workforce as it would allow Bangladesh, both at home and abroad, to literally bank on one of its most under-utilised human resources.
When asked, KAM Morshed, programme manager for e-governance and development of UNDP, said his organisation has already taken some programmes to create awareness and help the private and public institutions enhance their capacity.
"Our policy advocacy for expansion of ICT through developing human resources will continue, so they can meet the growing demand of the country," he said.
The UNDP is contemplating arranging another programme in connivance with the UNICEF, Morshed said, adding the issue should be addressed properly, otherwise it would take a serious turn in next few years.