Prime Minister’s Public Administration Affairs Adviser Md Ismail Zabairullah today said jointly produced films, documentaries, books and digital content can further deepen the friendship and mutual relations between China and Bangladesh.
He made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest the closing ceremony of a workshop on the validation of competency standards and curriculum for the Chinese language at the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) here.
The adviser said China is one of Bangladesh’s largest trading partners. Relations between the two countries have expanded beyond trade and investment including education, technology, industry, culture and human resource development, he said.
“Chinese language proficiency can play an important role in making these growing relations more effective,” he added.
The adviser said Bangladesh-China relations have been elevated in recent years to a “Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.” As the partnership expands, the ability of Bangladesh’s young generation and professionals to communicate in Chinese will increasingly become an important national skill, he added.
He stressed the need for the NSDA and relevant institutions to establish an effective and inclusive system through which students in Dhaka as well as those in remote villages can learn Chinese through online and technology-based platforms.
“Opportunities to learn Chinese at convenient times should be ensured for university students, working professionals and skilled workers,” he said.
The adviser also said that, in line with the government’s electoral manifesto, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized the introduction of a third language in secondary education. Considering the needs and opportunities of the coming decades, Chinese could emerge as an important option as a third language, he added.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said that education is one of the most important areas of cooperation between Bangladesh and China. Employment and work opportunities are being created for Bangladeshi citizens in the Chinese Economic Zone in Chattogram, he said.
He added that proficiency in Chinese would enable Bangladeshi youth and working professionals to communicate more effectively with Chinese companies and investors.
The workshop was chaired by NSDA Executive Chairman and Secretary Dr Naznin Kawsar Chowdhury. Bangladesh-China Friendship Association President Advocate Nazmul Haque Nannu and Informal Sector Industry Skills Council (ISIC) Chairman Mirza Nurul Gani Shovon attended the event as special guests.
Members and directors of the NSDA, relevant consultants, representatives of industries and training institutions and representatives of various universities and institutions involved in Chinese language education, research and training also participated in the programme.
