Dhaka University in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is going to launch a project aiming to increase capacity building of universities and promote the youth entrepreneurship.
A meeting between the KOICA Bangladesh and the Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) Center of the University of Dhaka was held at Vice Chancellor’s office of the Dhaka University on Sunday to discuss the initiation of the government level bilateral project.
This project titled “Capacity Building of Universities in Bangladesh to Promote Youth Entrepreneurship” of education ministry will be implemented by the Dhaka University in collaboration with the KOICA Bangladesh and a consortium comprising of Korea Productivity Center (KPC) and Korea Polytechnic University.
A five-member delegation led by Ms Young Ah Doh, Country Director of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) called on Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman on the purpose.
The delegation members include Deputy Country Director of KOICA Kim Taehyun, Program Manager Han Yoori, Program Coordinator Md Fazle Rabby and Construction Manager Cheol Yong Oh of same agency.
Executive Director of Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship Center (ICE) of DU Md Rashedur Rahman and some other Faculty Members were present on this occasion.
During the meeting, they discussed matters of mutual interest especially regarding implementation of a pilot project titled “Capacity Building of Universities in Bangladesh to Promote Youth Entrepreneurship”. They also discussed the possibilities to develop education and research as well as inno
vative skills at Dhaka University with the financial assistance from KOICA.
Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman thanked the KOICA delegation for their willingness to provide support and cooperation in this regard. This project will play an effective role for capacity building of young generation on innovation and entrepreneurship, he pointed out.
Highlighting the significance of the project, the DU VC mentioned that 2021 is a special year for the University as it is celebrating the centenary along with the “Mujib Borsho” and Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh. This project will add value to the university’s vision to provide quality education and research, he hoped.
Doh Young-Ah appreciated the role of the University of Dhaka since 1921, and hoped that the outcomes of the project will play a significant role in improving the capacities of the universities to promote entrepreneurship. While highlighting the South Korean experiences on entrepreneurship development, Ms. Doh Young-Ah emphasized the importance of collaborative initiatives on Innovation and Entrepreneurship between South Korea and Bangladesh.
Md Rashedur Rahman highlighted the importance and role of the University of Dhaka towards an innovation driven entrepreneurial Bangladesh, shared the project details of this unique USD 7.5 million Government to Government (G2G) grant project between Government of Bangladesh and the South Korean Government.
He mentioned that the project will have the following components: development a world class physical infrastructure at the CARASS building for interdisciplinary students, faculties and alumni; developing curriculum on Entrepreneurship; capacity building of stakeholders including faculty members, government officials and others on entrepreneurial education; advocacy and awareness building activities to strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystem; and research on contemporary issues related to innovation and entrepreneurship.
