Finance adviser urges industrialists to invest in education, research

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today (8 December) urged industrialists to invest in education and research to bridge the gap in skilled manpower and knowledge in the industrial sector.

The adviser made these remarks as the chief guest at the celebration ceremony of the Graduate Diploma in Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Management program of East West University (EWU) held on the EWU campus in the city, said a press release.

Salehuddin emphasised that successful figures like Bill Gates and Elon Musk did not achieve their innovations solely by themselves; their success was built on long-term investments in research. 

He highlighted the irony that while business leaders in Bangladesh often complain about the lack of skilled manpower, they do not invest in educational and research institutions.

The event was presided over by the Chief Adviser of EWU and former governor of Bangladesh Bank Professor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin.

Other distinguished speakers included Resident Representative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Bangladesh Hoe Yun Jeong, Vice Chancellor of EWU Professor Dr. Shams Rahman, Senior Vice President of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh Mohammed Nazmul Hassan, Additional Secretary of the Finance Division Mohammed Walid Hossain and Professor of the Department of Business Administration of EWU and Program Director of the Graduate Diploma in Leather, Leathergoods, and Footwear Management Program Dr Tanbir Ahmed Chowdhury. 

The ceremony was attended by EWU diploma graduates, faculty members, Officers from different sections, officials from the Ministry of Finance, and representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), among others.