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Background Bangladesh is at a crossroads to transform itself to a high-productivity growth economy, and skills will play an essential role in enabling the transition and creating more and better jobs. The country is experiencing a demographic transition, where the largest share of workforce will comprise of youth. Bangladesh can benefit from a potential demographic dividend provided it equips its youthful population with the right skills and access to good jobs. At the same time, economic progress and technological advances have employers demanding better skilled workforce to support jobs across high growth sectors such as Ready-Made Garments (RMG), ICT, light engineering, ship building, and pharmaceuticals. Over the past decade, the Government of Bangladesh together with development partners, NGOs and private sector have made significant progress in improving workforce quality and skills in Bangladesh. Access to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) significantly improved with the share of TVET enrollments in total education rising from less than 1 percent to 14 percent over the past decade. The uptake of technical and vocational education among females also increased by five times during this period. The share of unskilled migrant workers reduced from 72% in 2010 to 45% in 2014 with increasing inflow of remittance. A better skilled growing workforce with higher job participation, especially among young women, supported the transition of the economy from lower income country to lower middle income country in 2014. To better position in the local and global job markets, building the brand of Bangladeshi skills will now be essential more than ever. Well recognized skills support workers signal their capabilities to employers for better economic prospects while businesses are able to identify better skills to improve business productivity and operations. Moving forward, to build the brand of Bangladeshi skills, will require addressing several challenges in skills development, including skills and jobs mismatch, resource and capacity constraints in skills delivery, underdeveloped skills recognition system, among others. The International Skills Conference 2018 with the theme Building Brand for Skills of Bangladesh has been organized with the aim to showcase and learn some of the global best practices in building the brand of workers skills. The conference will bring national and international skills experts in a two-day knowledge sharing session and explore potential partnerships in taking the Bangladesh skills agenda forward. 2
Event Description 3
Objective of the Conference The theme for this year s conference is Building Brand for Skills of Bangladesh The objectives of the Conference are to improve awareness and value of Skills of Bangladeshi workforce in the national and international arena and showcase Bangladesh s best practices in improving the skills of its labor. The conference plans to achieve these objectives through the following activities: Foster Partnership: This conference will provide a platform for the national and international TVET institutions, industry representatives, skills experts and policy makers to discuss and share ideas for promoting skills agenda at various levels. Knowledge Sharing: The conference provides opportunity to learn from the knowledge and experience sharing on international best practices in skills promotion, skills training and skills certification. Highlighting the success of Bangladesh: The conference is to highlight the success that Bangladesh has achieved in TVET. 4
Session Details 5
Inaugural Session The inaugural session will present valuable insights on the importance on building the brand of skills in Bangladesh from individuals at the forefront of the skills efforts. This session will also hold a keynote paper presentation by Dr. Shiro Nakata, Sr. Education Economist, World Bank. In addition, presentations on the skills development experiences in Bangladesh and Singapore will be presented followed by a panel discussion on the challenges and way forward in TVET in Bangladesh. Guest List: Cheif Guest: Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, Hon ble Minister, Ministry of Education Special Guest: Mr. Kazi Keramat Ali, Hon ble State Minister, TMED Guest of Honor: Mr. Benoit Prefontaine, High Commissioner of Canada in Bangladesh Dr. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, Senior Operations Officer, The World Bank, Bangladesh Chairperson: Mr. Md. Alamgir, Secretary, Technical and Madrasah Education Division (TMED) Key note presentation by: Mr. Shiro Nakata, Education Economist, The World Bank, Bangladesh Presentation by: Mr. A B M Azad, Project Director, Skills and Training Enhancement Project Mr. Anthony Woon, Director, Nanyang Polytechnic International, Singapore Discussion by: Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Ms. Liping Xiao, Senior Education Specialist, The World Bank, China Mr. Sabur Khan, Former President, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ms. Shabnam Sinha, Lead Education Specialist, The World Bank, India Mr. Shafquat Haidar, Chairman, Industry Skills Council for Information and Communication Technology 6
Bridging Gaps between Skills and Jobs This session will explore on the skills and jobs mismatch issue which has been at the forefront of global skills challenges. Despite improvements in access to skills training, there still remains considerable quality challenges. One aspect is the weak relevance of the skills provided and the lack of connection of the graduates and institutions with the job market. To best utilize the skilled labor force, the institutions need to teach the skills that are in high demand, with modern techniques and relevance. This session will provide insights on the skills and jobs mismatch challenges from Bangladesh, India, China and discuss on the way forward. Expected Outcome: Understanding the modern skill requirements of the job market. Moderated by: Mr. Ashoke Kumar Biswas, Director General, Directorate of Technical Education Presentation by: Ms. Shabnam Sinha, Lead Education Specialist, The World Bank, India Ms. Tashmina Rahman, Research Analyst, The World Bank, Bangladesh Mr. Yang Jingyuan, President, Yunnan Traffic Technician College (YTTC), China Discussion by: Mr. Snehal V Soneji, Chief Technical Advisor, Skills 21, International Labour Organization (ILO) Dr. Rubina Husain Farouq, Secretary General, Industry Skills Councils for Tourism & Hospitality (ISC Tourism) Mr. Mustafizur Rahman, Chairman, Bangladesh Technical Education Board Mr. Ajit Kumar Ghosh, Joint Secretary, Technical and Madrasah Education Division Ms. Tahsina Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, Underprivileged Children s Educational Programs (UCEP) Mr. Md. Mominul Ahsan, Industry Skills Councils for Leather & Leather goods Mr. Md. Shamsur Rahman, General Secretary, Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh 7
Promoting and Branding of Skills: Globalization of Skills Certificates The session is expected to go in-depth into the opportunities and challenges for building the brand of skills in countries, with focus on Bangladesh. Although the number of skilled labors is increasing in Bangladesh, yet the majority of the workers are non-skilled or low skilled, resulting in lower wages. There has been massive improvements in the TVET sector with more and more people obtaining training and certificates under BTEB. However, a more and improved branding is required to make these certified labor recognized in both the national and international arena. This session discusses the different methods Bangladesh can undertake to Brand its certification process and the growing number of skilled labor so that they can fill the void nationally and earn higher remittance from abroad. Expected Outcome: Finding ways to brand Bangladesh skills in the global job market. Moderated by: Mr. ABM Khorshed Alam, Chief Executive Officer, National Skills Development Council Presentation by: Mr. Anthony Woon, Director, Nanyang Polytechnic International (NPYi), Singapore Dr. Nurul Islam, Director (Training), Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Ms. Lin Xiangqun, Director of Institute, Yunnan Forestry Technological College (YFTC), China Ms. Tasmiah Rahman, Head of Skills Development Programme, BRAC Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Associate Professor, Economics, University of Dhaka Discussion by: Mr. M A Mubin Khan, Managing Director, Ethics Advanced Technology Limited (EATL) Mr. Ibne Hasan Khan, Director (Marketing), Impress Telefilm Limited Dr. Munaz Noor Ahmed, Professor, BUET (Former VC IUT, Former Pro-VC, National University) Mr. Md. Mofazzol Hossain, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports 8
Future-Proofing TVET Institutions This session will look into how TVET institutions will require to evolve in meeting the skills needs of the 21st century. As most Bangladeshi TVET providers are in their initial stages, this session will provide insights on the experiences of global leaders in TVET in becoming world class skills training institutions. Expected Outcome: Improved understanding of the aspects to enhancing the delivery of quality skills training. Moderated by: Mr. Md. Salim Reza, Director General, Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Presentation by: Mr. Wu Yunen, Director, Yunnan Land and Resource Vocational College (YLRVC), China Mr. Zakir Hossain, Principal, Dhaka Polytechnic Engr. Md. Shahabuddin Saikat, Principal, Bangladesh Institute of Information Technology, Bogra Discussion by: Mr. Mustafizur Rahman, Chairman, Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) Ms. Liping Xiao, Senior Education Specialist, The World Bank, China Dr. Mohammed Alauddin, Vice-chancellor, Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur Ms. Shohaly Easmin, Director, SAIC Institute of Management and Technology 9
Exploring Partnership in TVET The session will start with a discussion between foreign and national institutes for exploring the possibility of partnership using existing methods and also consider innovative approaches. The discussion will be followed by a group discussion by interested institutes for collaboration. The session will finally end with the development of initial MOUs with the hope of leading to partnership agreements. Expected Outcome: Ensuring a long and sustainable partnerships among national and international institutions. Moderated by: Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman, Senior Operations Officer, The World Bank, Bangladesh Ms. Liping Xiao, Senior Education Specialist, The World Bank, China Discussion by: Experts from foreign Institutes Principals from Polytechnic Instutes Principals from Technical Training Centres 10
International Skills Conference Date: 8-9 March, 2018 Venue: Radisson Blu (Ball Room), Airport Road, Dhaka Conference Detail Schedule Program: 1st Day (8 March), 1st half (9.00-13.00) Time Event Responsibility Inaugural Session (9.00-13.00) 09:00-10:00 Registration Skills and Training Enhancement Project (STEP) 10:00-10:15 Recitation form Holy books Organizing Sub-Committee 10:15-10:25 Welcome speech Mr. Ashoke Kumar Biswas, Director General, Directorate of Technical Education 10:25-10:35 Presentation on TVET of Bangladesh Mr. A B M Azad, Project Director, Skills and Training Enhancement Project 10:35-10:40 Success Story on Diploma Stipend Dhaka Mohila Polytechnic Institute 10:40-10:50 Presentation on Global TVET Mr. Anthony Woon, Director, Nanyang Polytechnic International, Singapore 10:50-10:55 Success Story on Teacher s training Dhaka Polytechnic Institute 10:55-11:00 Success Story on Teacher s training Bangladesh-Korea Technical Training Centre (BKTTC), Chittagong 11.00-11:15 Keynote paper presentation Mr. Shiro Nakata, Education Economist, The World Bank, Bangladesh 11:15-11:30 Tea 11.30-11.40 Presentation on Singapore experience Mr. Anthony Woon, Director, Nanyang Polytechnic International, Singapore 11.40-11.45 Discussion 1: Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN 11.45-11.50 Discussion 2: Ms. Liping Xiao, Senior Education Specilist, The World Bank, China 11.50-11.55 Discussion 3: Mr. Sabur Khan, Former President, FBCCI 11.55-12.00 Discussion 4: Ms. Shabnam Sinha, Lead Education Specialist, The World Bank, India 12.00-12.05 Discussion 5: Mr. Shafquat Haidar, Chairman, Industry Skills Council for ICT 12.05-12.15 Questions from Audience and answers 3/4 persons 12.15-12.20 Success Story on Short Course Ahsania Mission Vocational Training Institute, Dhaka 12.20-12.30 Speech of Guest of Honor Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman, Senior Operations Officer, The World Bank, Bangladesh 12.30-12.40 Speech of Guest of Honor Mr. Benoit Prefontaine, High Commissioner of Canada in Bangladesh 12.40-12.50 Speech of Special Guest Mr. Kazi Keramat Ali, Hon ble State Minister, TMED 12.50-13.15 Speech of Chief Guest Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, Hon ble Minister, Ministry of Education 13.15-13.30 Speech of Chair & Moderator Mr. Md. Alamgir, Secretary, Technical and Madrasah Education Division (TMED) 13.30-14.30 Lunch Program: 1st Day (8 March), 2nd half (14.30-16.30) Time Event Responsibility Technical Session: Bridging gaps between skills and jobs (14.30-16.30) Moderator: Mr. Ashoke Kumar Biswas, DG, DTE 14.30-14.40 Introduction and back ground Mr. Ashoke Kumar Biswas, DG, DTE 14.40-14.50 Presentation on Skills for Jobs Ms Tashmina Rahman, Research Analyst, The World Bank, Bangladesh 14.50-15.00 Presentation on Good implementation of TVET Mr. Yang Jingyuan, President, Yunnan Traffic Technician College (YTTC), China projects in China and possible partnerships 15.00-15.10 Presentation on Indian TVET Experience Ms. Shabnam Sinha, Lead Education Specialist, WB, India 15.10-15.17 Discussion-1 Mr. Snehal V Soneji, CTA, Skills-21, ILO, Bangladesh 15.17-15.24 Discussion-2 Dr. Rubina Husain Farouq, Secretary General, ISC for Tourism & Hospitality 15.24-15.31 Discussion-3 Mr. Mustafizur Rahman, Chairman, BTEB 15.31-15.38 Discussion-4 Ms. Tahsinah Ahmed, CEO, UCEP 15.38-15.45 Discussion-5 Md. Mominul Ahsan, Secretary General, ISC for Leather & Leather Goods 15.45-15.52 Discussion-6 Mr. Md. Shamsur Rahman, General Secretary, IDEB 15.52-15.59 Discussion-7 Mr. Ajit Kumar Ghosh, Joint Secretary, Technical and Madrasah Education Division 15.59-16.10 Panel Discussion Involving the discussants 16.10-16.20 Question & Answers Participants to Presenters through Moderator 16.20-16.30 Remarks form the Moderator Mr. Ashoke Kumar Biswas, DG, DTE 16.30-17.00 Networking and Tea 17.00 End of 1st day program 11
Program: 2nd day (9 March), 1st half (09.30-11.30): Parallel Session-1 Time Event Responsibility Parallel Session-1: Promoting and Branding of Skills (09.30-11.30) Moderator: Mr. A B M Khorshed Alam, CEO, NSDC Secretariat 09.30-09.40 Presentation-1 Mr. Anthony Woon, NYPi, Singapore 09.40-09.50 Presentation-2 Dr. Nurul Islam, Director, BMET 09.50-10.00 Presentation-3 Ms. Lin Xiangqun, YFTC, China 10.00-10.10 Presentation-4 Ms. Tasmiah Rahman, Head of Skills Development Programme, BRAC 10.10-10.20 Presentation-5 Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Associate Professor, University of Dhaka 10.20-10.25 Discussion-1 Mr. Mubin Khan, CEO, EATL 10.25-10.30 Discussion-2 Dr. Md. Nurul Islam, Director (Vocational), Directorate of Technical Education 10.30-10.35 Discussion-3 Dr. Munaz Noor Ahmed, Prof. of BUET, Former VC, IUT 10.35-10.40 Discussion-4 Mr. Md. Mofazzol Hossain, JS, Ministry of Youth & Sports 10.40-11.00 Panel Discussion Involving the discussants 11.00-11.10 Question & Answers Participants to Presenters through Moderator 11.10-11.20 Remarks from the Moderator Mr. A B M Khorshed Alam, CEO, NSDC Secretariat 11.20-11.30 Tea Program: 2nd day (9 March), 1st half (09.30-11.30): Parallel Session-2 Time Event Responsibility Parallel Session-1: Future Proofing TVET Institutions (09.30-11.30) Moderator: Mr. Md. Selim Reza, DG, BMET 09.30-09.40 Introduction and back ground Mr. Md. Selim Reza, DG, BMET 09.40-09.55 Presentation-1 Mr. Wu Yunen, YLRVC, China 09.55-10.10 Presentation-2 Mr. Zakir Hossain, Principal, DPI 10.10-10.25 Presentation-3 Mr. Shahabuddin Shaikat, Principal, BIIT 10.25-10.30 Discussion-1 Mr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Chairman, BTEB 10.30-10.35 Discussion-2 Ms. Liping Xiao, WB, China 10.35-10.40 Discussion-3 Dr. Md. Alauddin, VC, DUET 10.40-10.45 Discussion-4 Ms. Shohaly Easmin, Principal, SAIC 10.45-11.00 Panel Discussion Involving the discussants 11.00-11.10 Question & Answers Participants to Presenters through Moderator 11.10-11.20 Remarks form the Moderator Mr. Md. Selim Reza, DG, BMET 11.20-11.30 Tea Program: 2nd day (9 March), 1st half, 2nd Session (11.30-13.00) Time Event Responsibility Remarks Technical Session: Exploring Partnerships in TVET (11.30-13.00) Moderators: Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman, Senior Operations Officer, WB, BD & Ms. Liping Xiao, Senior Education Specilist, The World Bank, China 11.30-12.0 Discussion between overseas institutes and Bangladesh institutes for exploring the possibility of partnership for capacity building of teachers through exchange program and students exchange program Moderators and Participants In view of collaboration 12.00-12.30 Group discussion by the interested Principals of overseas and local institutes institutes for collaboration 12.30-13.00 Developing initial MoU leading to Principals of overseas and local institutes with Expected outcome partnership agreement support from Moderators of the conference 12
Program: 2nd day (9 March), 2nd half, Dhaka Visit (14.30-17.00): Only for foreign delegates Time Event Responsibility Remarks Technical Session: Exploring Partnerships in TVET (11.30-13.00) Moderators: Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman, Senior Operations Officer, WB, BD & Ms. Liping Xiao, Senior Education Specilist, The World Bank, China Dhaka Visit (14.30-17.00) 14.30-17.00 Visiting Jamuna Future Park Guide and security personnel Foreign delegates only Program: 2nd day (9 March), Evening (18.30-20.00) Time Event Responsibility Remarks 18.30-19.15 Cultural Program Shilpokala Academy Guests and participants 19.15-19.25 Presenting the Summary of the Conference Mr. Md. Zillur Rahman, CMS, STEP & Mr. Mustahsin-ul-Aziz, Consultant, WB BD Photographs in background 19.25-19.30 Signing of initial of MoU In presence of Special Guests Initiation of Collaboration 19.30-21.00 Wrap up dinner TMED, DTE, STEP Guests and participants 21.00 End of the Conference List of Rapporteurs: Sl. Name & Designation Group Remarks 1. Ms. Sabina Shakhawat, M&E Specialist, STEP 2. Mr. Shah Alam Mujumder, Specialist, BTEB 1 3. Mr. Md. Habibur Rahman, JPC, STEP 4. Mr. Alamgir Hossain, Program Officer, STEP 5. Mr. Md. Zohurul Islam, AD, DTE 2 6. Engr. Robindronath Mahato, Program Officer, STEP Each group will prepare report separately. A summary of 10 minutes to be prepared from the two for presenting after cultural program. Abbreviations and Acronyms AD: Assistant Director BKTTC: Bangladesh-Korea Technical Training Center BMET: Bureau of Manpower Export and Training BTEB: Bangladesh Technical Education Board BUET: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology CEO: Chief Executive Officer CMS: Communication and Mobilization Specialist CTA: Chief Technical Adviser CTO: Chief Technical Officer DG: Director General DMPI: Dhaka Mohila Polytechnic Institute DPI: Dhaka Polytechnic Institute DTE: Directorate of Technical Education DUET: Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology FBCCI: Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry IDEB: Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh ILO: International Labor Organization of the United Nations ISC: Industry Skills Councils JPC: Junior Program Consultant NSDC: National Skills Development Council NYPi: Nanyang Polytechnic Institute International PD: Project Director STEP: Skills and Training Enhancement Project TMED: Technical and Madrasah Education Division of Ministry of Education TVET: Technical and Vocational Education and Training UCEP: Underprivileged Children Education Program WB: The World Bank 13
About STEP Incepted in 2010, the Skills and Training Enhancement Project (STEP) to strengthen selected public and private training institutions to improve training quality and employability of trainees, including those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. STEP is implemented by the Directorate of Technical Education under the Ministry of Education in co-operation with the Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Bangladesh Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training. It is financed by the Government of Bangladesh, World Bank and Global Affairs of Canada. STEP is designed to address the key issues concerning TVET in a number of ways: Ensuring that the programs offered are relevant to labor market needs by incorporating views from industries and civil society Helping to ensure teacher-trainer vacancies open for six months or more are filled Supporting both public and private institutions, thereby creating a level playing field. The project breaks new ground in this way Providing incentives. Based on performance indicators, training institutions grant of up to $1 million for implementing their institutional development plans. Institutions providing short courses receive $275 per student, of which $75 is stipend to the student. In addition, a 20 percent per student amount performance grant is offered to the institute for each trainee who is employed within six months of completing training Providing stipends to students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. Those receiving a stipend must maintain 75 percent annual attendance and 45 percent pass marks in the annual examinations Strengthening polytechnic teaching and management through specialized training programs for polytechnic teachers and managers in collaboration with Singapore Supporting sustainable implementation capacities and governance at all levels of skills development system Facilitating changed mind sets among the institutions, who now initiate and lead innovations, and among students and communities towards increasing the value of technical education in society Increasing harmony among formerly-fragmented skills development stakeholders and forging global partnerships The Achievements of STEP 240,000 diploma students from 162 polytechnic institutions (50 of which are public) received stipends. Female beneficiary share more than doubled from adopting universal female stipend instead of poverty targeting one. 98,892 trainees have received short-course training, of whom, 31% are women. 867 full-time contractual teachers deployed in 50 public polytechnics, filling up 95% of vacant teaching posts, and over 4,000 TVET teachers, managers and leaders trained through in-country and overseas training. 909 polytechnic teachers and managers trained in Singapore while 87 teachers received training from China Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has been operationalized, and around 17,715 individuals have been assessed through RPL. 14
Important Contacts Technical and Madrasah Education Division Mr. Md. Alamgir, Secretary Technical and Madrasah Education Division Ministry of Education Phone: +88 02 9582221 Email: secretary@tmed.gov.bd Mr. Nur Mohammad Masum, Ps to Secretary (DS) Technical and Madrasah Education Division Ministry of Education Phone: +88 02 9582199 Email: ps.sec@tmed.gov.bd Directorate of Technical Education Mr. Ashoke Kumar Biswas, Director General Directorate of Technical Education Phone: +88 02 9110664 Email: dgdte@techedu.gov.bd; ict@techedu.gov.bd Bangladesh Technical Education Board Dr. Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Chairman Bangladesh Technical Education Board Phone: +88 02 8143724 Email: chairman@bteb.gov.bd Skills and Training Enhancement Project (STEP) Mr. A B M Azad, Joint Secretary & Project Director Skills and Training Enhancement Project (STEP) Phone: +88 02 8181456-7 Email: step.dte@gmail.com; contact@skillsconference.org For Emergencies Mr. Md. Fakhrul Kabir, Deputy Secretary & Deputy Project Director Skills and Training Enhancement Project (STEP) Phone: 9101033 Mobile: 01718724126 Email: f.kabir16@yahoo.com Engr. Robindronath Mahato, Program Officer Skills and Training Enhancement Project (STEP) Mobile: +8801711576950 Email: robinecekuet@gmail.com; contact@skillsconference.org 15