President and Chancellor of the National University Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday stressed the need to formulate the university’s curriculum in line with domestic and overseas job market demands to address the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and prevent unnecessary unemployment.

He made the remarks when a delegation of the National University, led by its Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr A S M Amanullah, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Monday afternoon.

During the meeting, the vice-chancellor briefed the President on the university’s employment-oriented education, curriculum reforms and overall academic activities.

He also sought the President’s cooperation in improving the dignity, professional opportunities and welfare facilities of university teachers.

The President assured the delegation of his cooperation and said the country’s education system had been brought to the brink of destruction during the previous “fascist” rule through an artificial increase in the pass rate.

He said the current government was working to improve the quality of education at the National University, develop skilled human resources and enhance teachers’ capacities.

Considering the demands of labour markets in developed countries, the President called for introducing six-month and one-year short courses in healthcare, allied healthcare, technical and further education (TAFE), and ICT, alongside technology and technical education under the National University.

Such employment-oriented education programmes would help create internationally competitive skilled workers and increase overseas employment, he said.

The President also stressed the need to establish performing arts colleges gradually in every district of the country.

During the meeting, the vice-chancellor formally invited the President, in his capacity as Chancellor, to attend the proposed convocation of the National University.

The President accepted the invitation and assured the delegation that he would attend the convocation.

The President’s relevant secretaries, along with the university’s pro-vice-chancellor, registrar and treasurer, were present at the meeting.