“Many jobs will be obsolete with the technological advancement…the tech entrepreneurs have an important role to play to ensure that the economy stays innovative and competitive,” he said.
The Dutch prince made the remarks while speaking at an event at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel marking the launch of a four-year project titled ‘Creating a Sustainable and Prosperous Future for Bangladeshi Youth’ by Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) in collaboration with IKEA Foundation and Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN).
Under the project, a total of 10,000 final-year university students from low-income families will be trained in skills that will enable them to thrive in the workplace while 4,000 young individuals will receive mentorship and career development support, and be linked with employment opportunities.
Besides, 30 youth-led enterprises will be identified and provided with financial support.
The Dutch prince mentioned that entrepreneurship is essential in a country which has high unemployment rate. “If you want to keep your youth in your country, you have to create opportunities for them,” he added.
He lauded BYLC for its efforts to provide the youth with a platform that will eventually lead to more jobs and reducing unemployment in the country.
Talking to UNB, Constantijn said, “The project will be creating jobs for the unemployed, which makes it a positive development (for Bangladesh).”
He also expressed the hope that the project will be implemented in a ‘fast and dynamic’ manner once it kicks off.
Ambassador of the Netherlands Harry Verweij said, “I’m delighted that the EKN could be part of BYLC’s journey to transform Bangladesh by preparing the next generation with skills and connecting them to livelihood opportunities.”
He also told UNB that the energy and ideas of the Bangladeshi youth have impressed him greatly.
Sonia Bashir Kabir, former managing director of Microsoft Bangladesh and CEO of SBK Tech Ventures, expressed her interest in partnering with BYLC’s portfolio companies and highlighted that creating more entrepreneurs is an effective way to address youth unemployment.
A blended learning programme of interactive online courses with personal support will be introduced under the four-year long project to develop the selected youths’ essential skills.
Ejaj Ahmad, Founder and President of BYLC, said the selection process will include students from all the existing public and private universities as well as colleges under National University.
He told UNB that BYLC is already in talks with about 100 employers. “We’ll be securing 4,000 jobs as well as working with 100 employers,” he said.
Ejaj Ahmed further mentioned that BYLC will be providing necessary training for 10,000 students as per the needs of the current job market and the designated employers.
“It’s not that only selected 4,000 will get jobs and rest will go unemployed. In fact, we’ll be providing sufficient guidance for the rest so that they’re securing jobs too by other means,” he added.
BYLC hopes to start the selection process by December. It encourages students to keep an eye on www.bylc.org for further details.