He said this on Tuesday while speaking as chief guest at the freshman reception and farewell ceremony of the Jalalabad Student Welfare Association at the TSC Auditorium of Dhaka University.

The minister said training activities will first begin in Sylhet and gradually be expanded to other districts of the division. Through this, young people will be made fit to work in freelancing and the international information technology sector, and opportunities to earn foreign currency in the country will increase.

He said there is great potential for freelancing in Sylhet. Through artificial intelligence training, the new generation of young men and women must be built with such skills that they themselves can earn and can bring information technology-related work of foreign companies to Bangladesh.

Highlighting the importance of investment in education, health and research, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said long-term investment in these sectors is needed for skilled human resources and sustainable economic progress. He also said there is a long-term target to gradually increase the budget in the education and health sectors and invest an amount equivalent to five percent of GDP.

Expressing concern over the education situation in Sylhet, the minister said the region lags behind the national average in literacy rate and various education indicators. However, this is not due to a lack of talent among the people of Sylhet; rather, various structural limitations including infrastructure, institutional capacity and leadership must be taken into consideration.

He called upon university students to acquire skills in leadership, research, innovation and nation-building alongside higher education. At the event, new students were welcomed with flowers and farewell receptions were given to meritorious students. Officials from various levels, teachers, lawyers, current and former leaders of the association, and students from the Sylhet region were present.