On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Grameenphone, in partnership with The Daily Star, convened a high-level roundtable titled “Future-Ready Bangladesh: AI, Skills and Youth Employability in the Digital Economy” to foster dialogue on preparing Bangladesh's youth for the opportunities and challenges of an AI-driven future.
The discussion brought together an esteemed group of policymakers, academic leaders, industry experts, development practitioners, and youth representatives. The session was graced by Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Honourable Prime Minister, as Chief Guest, alongside the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Vice-Chancellor of National University, Grameenphone's Chief Financial Officer, the Editor of The Daily Star, and other distinguished stakeholders from the education, technology, and development sectors.
The event featured insightful keynote presentations by AI specialist Zulkarin Jahangir and Farhana Islam, Head of ESG at Grameenphone, setting the stage for a dynamic discussion on how Bangladesh can cultivate the skills, capabilities, and mindset required for success in an increasingly digital and AI-powered economy.
Participants emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between government, academia, industry, and development partners to equip young people with future-ready competencies. The conversation also spotlighted the impact of Grameenphone Academy, which continues to expand access to digital and AI-focused learning opportunities across the country. To date, the platform has surpassed 320,000 enrollments, while its dedicated AI learning pathways have achieved over 42,000 enrollments and 18,000 certifications.
By bringing together diverse voices and advancing initiatives such as Grameenphone Academy, the roundtable reinforced a shared commitment to empowering Bangladesh's youth with the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy and contribute to building a smarter, safer, and more inclusive future.
