Bangladesh will learn from China's experience and strengthen cooperation in the field of vocational and technical education, thereby alleviating the severe employment situation for graduates in higher education institutions in the country.
Recently, Mehdi Amin, the education advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, told Nikkei Asia: "The government plans to draw on global best practices, including those from China, to learn from industry-university collaboration. We aim to strengthen technical skills training, enhance institutional capabilities, and expand job opportunities. Our current priority is to turn this agreement into concrete actions, creating meaningful job opportunities for young people."
On October 17th, 45 countries jointly announced the "World Framework for Skills in Vocational Education" (the "Beijing Agreement") in Tianjin. This is the first international vocational education standard developed under China's leadership. Based on China's own vocational education practices and incorporating experiences from worldwide vocational education development, the Beijing Agreement covers six aspects: values, systems, governance, safeguards, and actions.
Over the years, the job market for graduates from Bangladesh universities has been bleak. Every year, higher education institutions in Bangladesh produce hundreds of thousands of graduates, but their careers are mainly focused on arts and humanities, social sciences, and business fields, rather than those skills that employers require.
According to the 2024–2025 Information Technology Survey conducted by the Bangladesh Statistics Bureau, nearly half of university graduates have never used a computer. Data from the International Monetary Fund shows that the unemployment rate among educated Bangladeshi youth reaches 36%.
Many Bangladeshi students do not possess skills that can be directly used in employment. Official data shows that even among students attending vocational schools, 42% of their learning content focuses on basic computer knowledge, rather than practical skills in fields such as manufacturing, electrical engineering, and automotive services.
As various industries gradually shift towards artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced digital tools, concerns about the quality of education in Bangladesh have also increased.
The root cause of youth unemployment in Bangladesh lies in the long-term misalignment between the education system and labor market demand, according to Farid Ahmad Hati, Executive Director of "Policy Dialogue Center" at the Bangladesh Policy Research Institute. "Education systems still prioritize academic qualifications over practical skills that directly meet employment needs, leading many graduates to lack employers' required abilities."
"Collaboration between Bangladesh and China through practice, digital technology and work-based training helps reduce skill mismatches." said Hutton.
Harton cited a memorandum of understanding reached between China and Bangladesh, stating that modernizing the technical education institutions in Bangladesh and launching joint programs is expected to help graduates meet the needs of employers. "However, internship opportunities and regular communication with companies will be essential components of this process."
The Bangladesh China Business and Industrial Association (BCCCI) proposes that the government may add 20 more technical and engineering colleges on top of the existing approximately 115 institutions.
BCCCI Chairman Muhammad Khurshed Alam believes that cooperation with China will help young people in Bangladesh acquire skills in manufacturing components of automobiles and toys. At the same time, it will prepare the technology for Bangladesh's pillar industry—the garment industry.
Alam said: "Artificial intelligence is replacing human workers in the fields of fashion and design. In China, about 80% of fashion-related work has already been completed by artificial intelligence. Bangladesh is also moving in the same direction, so we must take action immediately. Otherwise, unemployment problems may worsen in the future."
The Bangladeshi government plans to introduce foreign language courses in schools and universities, with Chinese being a priority language.
"Bangladesh is looking to recruit for the CEO position on its job portal website, bdjobs.com. Md. Mashrul Islam says, 'Chinese experience can help bridge the skills gap in Bangladesh and address graduate unemployment. However, I believe we should be sending more students to China than focusing only on education institutions that China supports in building.'"
