Convocation Speech Daffodil International University
Convocation Speech
by
Hua Du
Country Director
Bangladesh Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank
At the 1st convocation of the Daffodil International University, Dhaka
24 May 2006
Honorable President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Honorable Minister for Education, Vice-Chancellor, Daffodil International University, graduating students, parents, faculty members, ladies and gentlemen.
It is indeed a great privilege for me to attend the first convocation of the Daffodil International University as the convocation speaker. On this very special occasion, I congratulate all the new graduates for reaching an important landmark in their lives. I would also like to congratulate all the parents who I am sure have sacrificed so much to ensure that their young ones are well educated. It is a worthwhile investment and I am sure that the future will justify the sacrifices you made.
I would also like to compliment the Daffodil International University. In a country where only about 30 percent of those who qualify for university admission actually gain admission into public universities, the need for private sector participation cannot be overemphasized. The nation is surely thankful for the initiative of the private sector to complement the public sector in providing tertiary education, in order to produce the many graduates needed to lead Bangladesh on the path of growth and prosperity in the decades to come. The presence of the Honorable President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Honorable Minister for Education surely indicate the Government's strong support in promoting quality private universities.
We live in a world that is transforming fast, and the stock and quality of human resources has become a key to accelerating growth and reducing poverty
The world we live in today is changing very fast. Information is being processed at a rate that was unimaginable only a few years ago. Any nation that does not possess the ability and the technology to gain and process vast amounts of information quickly will lag behind in development. Assembly of a Boeing aircraft today requires the technical and engineering skills of workers from America, Europe, and Asia. Jobs in manufacturing and services that the Asian continent lost to America and Europe 200 years ago are now returning to Asia. These range from call centers and data entry clerks to professional managers, accountants, computer programmers, IT consultants, bio-technicians, architects, designers and corporate lawyers. In a world where knowledge is not only power, but also for sale, and where almost every large company that relies upon remote transactions is starting to hire more cost-effective labor overseas, the stock and quality of human resources has become a key for less developed countries like Bangladesh to participate in the global growth process, and to reduce poverty and attain a better quality of life.
Universities therefore have a leading role to play to prepare a nation's human resources by producing quality graduates to meet the demands of a competitive market. I am informed that, with a relatively short history, the Daffodil International University has grown into one of the best. I am happy to note that ICT and commerce are two major subjects that the University is offering, among others, to its graduates. In no time in history will you walk into a world where skills in these two fields would offer you more opportunities than today. It is also a far-sighted policy of the University that all courses are taught in English. This enhances the opportunities for placement of the graduates in the international job market.
Bangladesh: a low-income country with great potential to reach the threshold of a middle-income country by 2020
Living in Bangladesh for nearly four years, I have personally witnessed many positive changes. The people of Bangladesh are dynamic, resilient and hard working. GDP growth has steadily increased and is expected to reach 6.5% in FY2006. Even with heightened external shocks, the country has sustained macroeconomic stability. Before the phase-out the MFA, some predicted that the country's garments industry would collapse. But that did not happen; the garments industry continues to show strong growth, outperforming many others. With the highest spending on education among all the South Asian countries and a strong commitment to girls' education, the social indicators have improved, gender parity has been achieved in primary and secondary education, and poverty incidence has declined. This country of 140 million people is among only a few countries which are likely to meet key Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
Despite these impressive gains, Bangladesh with a per capita gross national income of only $470 is still considered a low-income country. However, with the current growth trends, and the country's unique geographical location as the hub of the subregion and its gateway to global markets, Bangladesh has the potential to reach the threshold of a middle-income country by the year 2020 by seizing the opportunities that regional and subregional cooperation and globalization can offer. With higher GDP growth rates of 8-9% per year, Bangladesh can even become a middle-income country earlier than 2020. Moving onto a higher growth path will, however, require greater domestic resource mobilization, better physical and social infrastructure and improved governance to attract private sector investments - the engine of growth.
Quality education a major challenge at all levels in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has made considerable progress in establishing a comprehensive education system, particularly in providing access to primary education. The quality of education, however, needs improvement at all levels. Even though there are pockets of excellence, the overall quality of higher education remains a concern due to a lack of funds, shortage of qualified teachers, weak management and supervision, and in certain cases, politicization of campuses. In many universities, access to ICT, science laboratories, and other educational facilities is limited. Education that is provided is not strongly linked to market demands. There is also inadequate focus on science and technology or on areas that produce marketable skills. Over 80% of young graduates enroll in general studies; only 20% study science, technology, and applied subjects.
Politicization of autonomous public institutions has also eroded supervision and weakened the management systems at university level. Much instructional time is lost due to demonstrations and strikes, particularly at public universities. As a result, degrees are not awarded in time, which adversely affects the academic and career pursuits of the students. It is a genuine concern that campus violence has now extended to some private universities.
ADB takes pride in supporting human development in Bangladesh
ADB takes pride in supporting human development in Bangladesh. In the past, ADB provided support for improving access to basic primary and secondary education. More recently, ADB assistance has focused increasingly on improving the quality and relevance of education. The ongoing Second Primary Education Development Program (PEDP II) is a fine example of ADB support to primary education. A flagship program of the Government over a six-year implementation period, PEDP-II costs over $1.8 billion, or three times of the Jamuna Bridge. PEDP-II adopts a sector wide approach with support from 11 development partners including ADB as the lead partner agency. At the end of the program period in 2009, enrollment of poor children is expected to increase by 3.2 million, net enrollment for primary school children from 80% to 88%, and completion rates from 68% to 80%.
Over the medium term, ADB support will continue to focus on improving the quality and relevance of education. Building on the achievements of PEDP-II, assistance in primary education will support the Government's new program of early childhood education to adequately prepare young children for primary school training. Complementing the formal education system, ADB will continue to support nonformal education to serve the needs of school dropouts and other disadvantaged groups.
Improving the coverage and quality of secondary education is another key component of ADB's human development strategy as it lays the foundation for further specialized and higher studies. To improve the marketable skills of school leavers, ADB will also support improvement of the technical and vocational training system to better respond to market needs, including the requirements of the informal sector.
Madrasahs exist as a parallel system for primary and secondary education, and impart Islamic religious education isolated from the needs of the labor market. ADB will assist the Government to modernize the madrasah education curriculum so that graduates have better employable skills. While ADB is not planning any support for the higher education sector through public sector lending operations, advisory technical support might be provided to assist in developing strategies for institutional reform, and to improve the responsiveness of higher education to evolving market requirements.
Message to the graduates
Bangladesh needs many more graduates like you for the country's transition to a middle-income country. Professional skills, hard work and integrity are essential to succeed in your careers. It is true for building careers in all areas including working for the government, the private sector and development agencies. But, you need to shed the old mindset of positioning yourselves only as officers and clerks within the public sector and in the civil service and in well-established banks and companies.
I note with pleasure that the Government is providing opportunities through various policies, like the small and medium enterprise (SME) policy and the private sector development initiative, as well as the various programs for young people, particularly women, who wish to be self-employed. I do not see why a student who studied ICT and commerce at the Daffodil International University here cannot form an ICT or trading company in partnership with an accountant and an MBA graduate from Dhaka University. You are educated to take your destiny into your own hands, and in applying the knowledge you have acquired, you can create a career for yourself as you perceive.
The strong moral and academic foundation which you have gained in this very modern university is only the first step in helping you to work for a better tomorrow and a better life for yourselves and your society. Remember that you must constantly upgrade your skills and knowledge to remain competitive in this ever-changing world. It is estimated that approximately 95% of all transfer of knowledge and know-how occurs by people interacting as they move from one place to another. Learning is thus a continuous process that you must remember when you interact with others while pursuing your careers.
I wish the new graduates once again all success in the challenging period ahead.
News and Events 
Top of page
