He made the call on Saturday (October 17) during a courtesy meeting with a delegation led by Rezaul Karim, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Southeast University, at Bangabhaban. University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Yusuf Mahbubul Islam was present at the time.

The President said the higher education system must be integrated and up-to-date so that students can acquire employment-oriented skills. Noting that although there are highly educated unemployed people in the country, various institutions have to bring workers from abroad, he emphasized raising the quality of technical, engineering and technology education.

He further said that industrial and corporate institutions should create skilled workers through proper training. At the same time, he called upon private universities to take initiatives to waive educational expenses for poor and meritorious students.

During the meeting, the Chairman of Southeast University briefed the President on the university's academic activities. He said the institution provides waivers and scholarships amounting to an average of about Tk 32 crore each year in tuition fees to meritorious, financially disadvantaged and special-quota students.

At that time, the President was invited to attend the university's upcoming convocation. The President accepted the invitation and assured that he would attend the event.