Wanted need-based varsity education

The higher education system in Bangladesh appears to be like a rudderless boat. Not many people are mindful of what catastrophe a vast army of unemployed educated youth might cause to society in the days ahead if job opportunities do not open up adequately and proportionately.  
If one makes a survey of educational background of bank officials, one is sure to find boys and girls having master's degree in physics or chemistry or even botany working as bankers. No surprise that a holder of a master's degree in agriculture science from Mymensingh Agriculture University is now heading a bank branch while another who passed from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in architecture is working as a senior bank officer.
Such a mismatch in accommodation of specialised graduates in areas foreign to their academic studies reflects that the education system is off the right track so far as jobs are concerned. This is the case of passed-out students already employed.
But what's about those who are now spending years in search of jobs in the country after getting university degrees?   
Badly needed is close cooperation between universities and industrial enterprises in holding different career fairs to ask students what they want to do with their education. Some of human-intensive jobs are becoming obsolete in the IT sector. Developed nations are outsourcing those in our countries.  Bangladesh is in a very good position because it has a large number of young people. So the key question involves their training. Universities can play a big role here. Industries should also be willing to invest in training. So universities have to link with industries on that purpose.
Zulfiquar Hussain, an expert, says there are three dimensions of need-based university education. These are graduate development, content i.e. curriculum development and finally faculty development.
"We need to orient our students about job market from the 2nd year so that they can prepare themselves to face the challenges of tomorrow, " he said adding that the second dimension is to review course curriculum and how these programmes are relevant to meet the demands of our industry."  
Hussain regrets that most of the business examples are taught from western perspective but the need is to promote local success stories and cases.  
The third dimension, he pointed out, is to continuously develop our faculties and many of them are not aware of emerging industries. Universities should take structured approach in developing the capabilities of faculties and industry must play its role by offering insights and exposure.
It is sad but true that the current pipeline of talent in Bangladesh is unable to meet managerial requirements considering short supply of quality graduates and limited development opportunities offered by large local corporate bodies. It is important to establish a clear roadmap to attain desired growth objectives.
The universities, both public and private, should prepare their students as per market demands.
Dr Mahabub Hossain's suggestions deserve consideration. He said, a semester of the curricula should be devoted to the personal quality development. In developed countries, universities teach practical implication of theoretical teaching in the last year. They provide a pseudo-market environment for students so that students can easily adjust to market requirements.
He suggested, regular dialogue between industry and university should be held because industries are well aware of continuous changes of requirement of the job market.
Working with industry, universities will also understand the market trend. Student fairs should be held regularly so that students can come in touch with industries.
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