Young population of the country have been urged to acquire information and communication technology (ICT) knowledge to make themselves competent human resources to ensure better access to job market.
State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak made the appeal while inaugurating as the chief guest a three-day National ICT Fair organised by Oxford International Schools (OIS) to exhibit technological innovations developed by students from different educational institutions in the city Saturday, reports BSS.
At the inaugural function, Mr Palak said the government has envisioned to build "Digital Bangladesh" by 2021 through expansion of ICT in every sphere of life to transform the country into knowledge-based economy.
"The country is still a labor-oriented economy. But we should put emphasis on knowledge-based economy by making optimum utilisation of ICT," he added.
The state minister said, "A large segment of population in the country is youth. They are the driving force for building a technologically-advanced country."
The country witnessed a remarkable progress in the field of ICT in the past few years due to time-befitting initiatives taken by the government, he said, adding, "We have introduced technology-based education systems including e-book, multimedia class rooms and digital library to provide world standard education."
Students from 35 schools, colleges and universities are taking part in the fair to display their wonderful innovations on ICT, M Masudul Haque, Head of Computer Science Department of the school, told the news agency.
OIS President Md Shakawat Hossain, Principal Professor Shahidul Alam Monzu, teachers, students and IT experts, among others, addressed the function.
Masudul Haque said, "This is an excellent gathering of youngsters as they are displaying ICT-based innovations by utilising their creative knowledge and innovative ideas."
The innovations include software, hardware based showcasing, developing games, he added.
Massive Games Academy is imparting education among students of different schools, colleges and universities to develop games through utilising innovative knowledge, Masudul Haque added.
Mahir Shahriar and Abir Hossain, students of class-VI of Oxford International School, are jointly displaying their game innovations at the fair.
While talking to the news agency, they said they have developed jointly the game spending one month's time. Now both of them feel proud for making such wonderful games through using own knowledge, they added.
Prof Shahidul said such ICT innovations of the students will enhance their presentation skills and creative knowledge, which are needed to make them leading IT professionals.
The fair includes, ICT Olympiad, Brain Teasers, project showcasing, digital art competition, algorithm contest, general knowledge competition and gaming competitions.
Apart from these, workshops, seminars and symposium would be organised during the three-day fair with the participation of country's leading ICT experts and stakeholders.
In the concluding session, the winners of different competitions would be awarded with medals and certificates.
