Building a Future-Ready Workforce for Bangladesh's Digital Economy

Marking World Youth Skills Day, Grameenphone partnered with The Daily Star to host a high-level roundtable discussion on "Future-Ready Bangladesh: AI, Skills and Youth Employability in the Digital Economy." The event served as a platform for thought leaders, policymakers, educators, industry representatives, and young changemakers to exchange perspectives on the evolving skills landscape and the opportunities created by artificial intelligence.

The discussion was graced by Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Honourable Prime Minister, as Chief Guest and featured participation from prominent stakeholders, including the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Vice-Chancellor of National University, Grameenphone's Chief Financial Officer, the Editor of The Daily Star, youth representatives, and leaders from academia, development organizations, and the technology sector.

The event began with keynote presentations from Zulkarin Jahangir, a leading AI expert, and Farhana Islam, Head of ESG at Grameenphone, who shared insights on the transformative impact of AI, the future of work, and the importance of developing skills that align with the demands of a rapidly changing digital economy.

During the roundtable, speakers emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among government, academia, industry, and development partners to equip young people with the knowledge and practical competencies required to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world. Discussions also focused on ensuring that the benefits of AI-driven innovation remain accessible and inclusive for all.

A key highlight was the growing impact of Grameenphone Academy, the company's digital learning platform designed to support youth skill development. The platform has achieved more than 320,000 enrollments, while its AI-focused learning pathways have attracted over 42,000 enrollments and generated 18,000 certifications, demonstrating the growing interest among young Bangladeshis in future-ready skills.

Through initiatives such as Grameenphone Academy and collaborative platforms for dialogue, Grameenphone continues to contribute to building a digitally skilled workforce capable of driving Bangladesh's progress in the emerging digital economy.

To read more about the Roundtable Discussion click here: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/build-ai-capability-not-just-digital-access-4225011