Since the education sector plays a vital role in economic development, Education System in developing countries should align with the fast evolving technology because technological literacy is one of the required skills in our current era. ICT can enhance the quality of education by increasing learner motivation and engagement, by facilitating the acquisition of basic skills and by enhancing teacher training which will eventually improve communication and exchange of information that will strengthen and create economic and social development.
There are many examples in neighboring countries where the development of nation has been brought about the improvement of ICT & education, with visionary initiative in the sector. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Indian Institutes of Technology, Tata Institute of Fundamental research, Indian Institute of Science are growing examples of initiative in education that have changed technological face of the country. KAIST is widely regarded as a creator of modern Korea. For the last 30 years Korea has invested in education enormously and the result is astonishing as can be seen from economy, scientific and technological progress. The same is true for Malaysia that was sending thousands of students to Australia, UK and USA for many years for education. Now they are developing a commendable education base.
Let me come back to computer education scenario in Bangladesh. For the last 15 years more and more universities opened departments in this field. Nationally we also aspired for changing lot of our distressed people through the golden touch of information technology. Unfortunately, in none of our efforts did appear that computer education should be given some priority. There were directives from the upper level to double intake in relevant disciplines without really giving any commitment to improving ICT facilities and development in education. For the last 10/15 years we have been dreaming to change the socio economy condition of the country through reaping the benefit in Information Technology. Different governments have attached significant improvement to IT calling it thrust sector and so on. Efforts have been made to formulate IT policies in order to expedite and accelerate its progress. Meetings, seminars, festivals, exhibitions on IT have become a part of our life. The government has set up an incubator to facilitate IT development activities and has given tax holiday to our entrepreneurs. But unfortunately none of these infinitives has been rewarded with any mentionable success. Two billions dollars ambitious target for software export has been set although there is no justifying indication in our performance. It appears that our initiatives are not mission oriented.
There are many examples in neighboring countries where the development of nation has been brought about the improvement of ICT & education, with visionary initiative in the sector. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Indian Institutes of Technology, Tata Institute of Fundamental research, Indian Institute of Science are growing examples of initiative in education that have changed technological face of the country. KAIST is widely regarded as a creator of modern Korea. For the last 30 years Korea has invested in education enormously and the result is astonishing as can be seen from economy, scientific and technological progress. The same is true for Malaysia that was sending thousands of students to Australia, UK and USA for many years for education. Now they are developing a commendable education base.
Let me come back to computer education scenario in Bangladesh. For the last 15 years more and more universities opened departments in this field. Nationally we also aspired for changing lot of our distressed people through the golden touch of information technology. Unfortunately, in none of our efforts did appear that computer education should be given some priority. There were directives from the upper level to double intake in relevant disciplines without really giving any commitment to improving ICT facilities and development in education. For the last 10/15 years we have been dreaming to change the socio economy condition of the country through reaping the benefit in Information Technology. Different governments have attached significant improvement to IT calling it thrust sector and so on. Efforts have been made to formulate IT policies in order to expedite and accelerate its progress. Meetings, seminars, festivals, exhibitions on IT have become a part of our life. The government has set up an incubator to facilitate IT development activities and has given tax holiday to our entrepreneurs. But unfortunately none of these infinitives has been rewarded with any mentionable success. Two billions dollars ambitious target for software export has been set although there is no justifying indication in our performance. It appears that our initiatives are not mission oriented.
Time and again government has instructed to increase intake in computer departments throughout the country with a hope that these graduates will add to the IT workforce. Hoverer, there has been no government institutive to develop laboratory facilities or faculty in universities. While professionals of different fields are able to participate in IT related workshops and other training programs, as far as we know these facilities are almost never available to teachers of computers department of any university. We are aware of our deficiencies and the big responsibilities that have been placed on our shoulders without strengthening it, reinforcing it.