Skilled human resources key to national progress: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that education, hard work and the development of skilled human resources are the primary drivers of a nation's progress.

Speaking at a Bangladesh-China Friendship Initiative programme in Thakurgaon on Friday (June 12), the minister said no country achieves development without investing in its people.

“Countries reach the pinnacle of development through education, discipline and skilled manpower. Even China’s rise as a global economic power is the result of sustained efforts in education and workforce development,” he said.

Addressing teachers, students and guardians at the event, Mirza Fakhrul said the government is working to ensure quality education and equip young people with the skills needed to compete in a rapidly changing world.

He stressed the importance of collective efforts by educators, parents and society in fostering ethical values and quality education among children, enabling them to become productive citizens and contribute to national development.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, who attended the programme as a special guest, reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting Bangladesh's education sector.

He said Bangladeshi students are the country's future and expressed hope that the distribution of educational materials would encourage greater interest in learning among young learners.

The ambassador also announced that a Chinese delegation is expected to visit Thakurgaon in July-August to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, industry and other sectors.

He further said initiatives would be taken from next year to facilitate educational visits to China for students from Thakurgaon and other regions, aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Held under the theme “Nurturing Young Talent, Building a Brighter Future,” the programme saw the distribution of school bags, notebooks, pens and other educational materials among around 6,500 students from various educational institutions across the district.

Senior government officials, local administrators, political leaders, teachers, students and guardians were present at the event.