DHAKA, Feb 12, 2020 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reiterated
her government’s determination to build a technology-based nation, saying
that technology education is a must for the new generations to sustain in the
competitive world.
She said the technologies are advancing fast in the world and it can never
happen that Bangladesh will lag behind the global trend.
“We’re a victorious nation as we earned victory in the great Liberation
War and as a winning nation, we always want to remain advanced, not behind
… from this thinking and spirit, we’ve taken various steps and the people
are getting its benefits,” she said.
The premier said this while opening the Sheikh Kamal IT Incubator and
Training Centre constructed at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park in
Rajshahi through a videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban
here this morning.
From the same function, she also inaugurated cent percent electrification
in seven districts and 23 upazilas as well as Feni 114-MW power plant.
“We want to establish a technology-based society and that’s why we’ve
taken various steps including providing computer education and setting up
multimedia classrooms in educational institutions so that the new generations
are attracted in technology education,” she added.
The prime minister also said the government wants to make the new
generations literate in such a way so that they can move keeping pace with
the competitive world. “For this, technology education is very much
essential,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina also reaffirmed her vow to illuminate every house of the
country in the Mujib Borsho (Mujib Year).
“Electricity is a pre-requisite for development (of any country) and I’ve
firm belief that we could light up every house of the country in Mujib
Borsho,” she said.
The premier said the country needs more fields to generate employment and
increase skills for the people. “That’s why we’ve opened the doors of those
fields in the private sector which were in the public sector,” she said.
Expressing her heartfelt gratitude to the people for electing the Awami
League government time and again, Sheikh Hasina said it is proven truth that
the country is developed when the Awami League remains in power.
“In the past there was no sign of digital system, and mobile phone was
like a dream to the common people and land phone was under analogue system in
all areas except some parts of Dhaka and Chattogram … nobody used
computer,” she said.
After coming to power in 1996, she said, her government launched
initiatives how the people could be attracted to use of technology including
computer.
“The world is advancing, and at that time why Bangladesh will remain
behind … keeping this in mind we had taken various steps … we can now at
least say that we were able to make the people aware about technology,” she
said.
She went on saying: “13 crore mobile phone SIMs are being used in the
country of 16 crore people.”
Sheikh Hasina said the people are getting various facilities and their
living standard is being enhanced significantly thanks to the massive use of
technologies.
“Due to use of technologies, the scope for controlling corruption is being
created and the country’s economy is being strengthened,” she said.
The prime minister said her government in 1996-2001 period enacted a law
to set up 12 science and technology universities in the country to attract
the students to science and technology. “We started the work of six
universities at that time,” she said.
About the power sector development, Sheikh Hasina said her government has
been able to raise electricity production to 23,000 MW, and as a result 96
percent people are now getting electricity.
“Those who suffered in the past for electricity will no more suffer for it
and they’ll get uninterrupted power,” she said.
Referring to setting up the Sheikh Kamal IT Incubator and Training Centre
in Rajshahi, she said the youths who will receive training from the centre
will be benefitted in getting employment.
“They could also be made entrepreneurs and they don’t need for chasing
jobs, rather they could give jobs … through this Bangladesh will be
established as a dignified nation,” she hoped.
Later, the premier exchanged views with public representatives, teachers,
students, freedom fighters, journalists, government officials and
beneficiaries of different districts including Rajshahi, Gopalganj, Bagerhat,
Meherpur, and Sunamganj through the videoconference.
Local Government Minister M Tazul Islam, PM’s Advisers HT Imam and Dr
Towfique-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid Bipu, State
Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, State Minister for ICT
Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former foreign minister AH Mahmud Ali, AKM
Rahmatullah, MP, Shahiduzzaman Sarkar, MP, Abdus Salam Mushedy, MP, and other
lawmakers and secretaries concerned were present at Ganabhaban.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the function, while
ICT Division Senior Secretary ANM Zeaul Alam gave an overview on the
development of Hi-Tech Parks including Sheikh Kamal IT Incubator and Training
Centre, and Power Division Secretary Dr Sultan Ahmed made a power point
presentation on the development of the power sector.