Consistent with the quest for promoting skills development as a viable approach to reduce poverty, the Colombo Plan Staff College for Technician Education (CPSC), in collaboration with the Department of Technical Education (DTE) of Bangladesh, organized the pilot in-country program under the CPSC-India Skills Development for Poverty Alleviation project (SDPA Project) in Bangladesh. The program carried the title Champion Leaders Development Program for TVET Skills for Poverty Alleviation and was conducted from February 22-27, 2011 at DTE, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The SDPA Project, under a broader initiative on Asia-Pacific Capacity Building Project for Technical Human Resources Development for Poverty Alleviation, brings to fore the vital role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in stimulating poverty alleviation initiatives in the region.
Thirty participants actively participated in the in-country program which aimed to strengthen the capability of the participants in designing and implementing skills development plan programs for poverty eradication in Bangladesh.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Dr. Nitai Sutradhar, Vice Chancellor, University of Textile, Bangladesh together with Prof. Md. Abdul Kashem, Director General of the Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Bangladesh. They both underscored the relevance of the SDPA Project and its timeliness in the persisting economic condition in Bangladesh where nearly half of the population still lives in poverty. Dr. Sutradhar highlighted the emerging scenario of 2021 in Bangladesh and encouraged participants to share ideas about poverty concerns and utilize the program as a basis for making significant policies and decisions to strengthen TVET programs and systems in Bangladesh. The inaugural program was attended by directors of various divisions of DTE and other senior education officials.
CPSC Faculty Consultant Prof. Rajesh P. Khambayat opened the program highlighting the significance of TVET skills development program as one of the central challenges faced by the world today. He expounded on the CPSC-India flagship project and its components and shared insights on recent activities and initiatives of CPSC to promote TVET skills for poverty alleviation.
Three modules focusing on three major topics namely TVET Skills for Poverty Alleviation Generic Skills for Employability and Social Entrepreneurship were presented by Prof. Khambayat. A series of tasks, group works and cyber lectures were facilitated to further explore and inculcate the relevance of skills development in forwarding measures to address poverty. As a final output, the participants formulated action plans to execute modular employable skills programs in line with the advocacy to arrest poverty through TVET approaches.
The five-day program was concluded with key speeches from Mr. Sirajul Islam, Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Education, Bangladesh and Prof. Shyamal Majumdar, Ph.D., CPSC Director General. Mr. Islam emphasized that specific concerns regarding SDPA need to be addressed through revising the existing curriculum, shortening the duration of existing programs, amending certification process and extending active support for the Champion Leaders. He further highlighted the importance of creating avenues for further collaboration in maintaining the success of the project’s implementation. He expressed his high appreciation to CPSC’s innovative approach and skills development advocacy in dealing poverty concerns in Bangladesh.
On the other hand, Prof. Majumdar expressed his high appreciation to the Government of Bangladesh through the Ministry of Education for their strong collaborative efforts in organizing such program and for providing full support to CPSC’s initiatives on skills development in TVET for poverty alleviation. He further emphasized that TVET policies and reforms must be fully geared towards building capacity of champion leaders in the realization of the benefits and sustainability of development programs and strategies designed to respond to poverty prevalence.
The closing ceremony was attended by many TVET experts including Prof. Abdur Rafique, National Programme Officer (Education), UNESCO-Bangladesh, Mr. Arthur Sheers, Chief Technical Advisor, ILO Technical and Vocational Education and Training Reform project in Bangladesh, and Prof. M.M.R. Siddiqi, former CPSC Faculty Member.
Prof. Khambayat acted as course coordinator and chief resource person for the program. Prof. Sutradhar and Prof. Siddiqi, served as resource persons. Md. Abdul Gofur, Director, Project Implementation Unit (PIU), acted as the Local Coordinator. The program was highly appreciated by the participants earning very impressive program feedback and rating.
 Prof. Rajesh P. Khambayat hands over plaque of Appreciation to Prof. Md. Abul Kashem, DTE Director General while Dr. Nitai Sutradhar looks on |
 (From L-R) Prof. Rajesh P. Khambayat, Faculty Consultant, CPSC, Dr. Shyamal Majumdar, Director General, CPSC, Mr. Sirajul Islam, Asst. Secretary, Ministry of Education, Bangladesh and Prof. Md. Abul Kashem, Director General, DTE, Bangladesh during the Closing Ceremony |
Delegates and organizers of the ICP (seated, from far right) Mr. Md. Abdul Gofur, Director, PIU, Prof. MMR Siddique, former Faculty Consultant, CPSC, Dr. Shyamal Majumdar, Director General, CPSC, Mr. Sirajul Islam, Asst. Secretary, Ministry of Education, Bangladesh, Prof. Md. Abul Kashem, Director General, DTE, Prof. Rajesh P. Khambayat, Faculty Consultant, CPSC and other DTE officials and guests. |
