In her virtual address at the closing session of an international conference on the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) arranged by the University Grants Commission (UGC) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presented a realistic picture of the challenges facing the developing countries like Bangladesh in embracing the 4th edition of industrial transformation. Without becoming equal to the challenges, she cautioned, these countries cannot reap benefits of the 4IR. To that end, transfer of the highly sophisticated technologies from the advanced countries to developing nations is a sine qua non. The prime minister has presented a detailed picture of what her government so far has done to welcome the latest radical industrial transformation. Obviously, she is aware of the inadequacy in the preparation for the unprecedented phase of industrial leap to a techno-savvy world hitherto unknown.
Chips and computer science are likely to be the driver of the 4IR. Various branches of this science such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), nanotechnology, quantum computing, biotechnology, internet of things, 5G additive manufacturing/3D printing and autonomous electric vehicles (EV) will be the order of the day. This means the population will have to learn computer skills of quite an advanced level to be a part of the system or else they will be left with a choice of almost living a prehistoric existence amid the affairs of sophisticated business and communication exchanges. One highly beneficial resource, however, is on Bangladesh's side. This is the country's population structure, more than 30 per cent of which is young between the age bracket of 10-30. They can be an asset for expediting the process of 4IR, provided the planning is right and the system of education made compatible. Infrastructure plays a huge role in spurring the process of relearning and facilitating technological transformation.
It is exactly on these vital scores, Bangladesh lags behind not only the developed West but also the East Asian nations. There has been an attempt to reform education but entrenched bureaucratic juggernaut has often frustrated the policy initiatives recommended by policymakers and educationists. It is time, education was freed from the bureaucratic tangle and handed over to educationists who know how to bring about the required changes in the system. This also warrants far greater investment in education on a priority basis. At the same time, infrastructure has to be developed commensurate with the demand of high-speed communication along with uninterrupted power supply.
The young generation of the country has proved its mettle without government support. Their forays into outsourcing, data entries, apps development have been saving and earning the country a handsome amount of foreign exchange. There are instances of young entrepreneurs shifting their offices and training centres to small towns and villages where young men and women are trained to do outsourcing. This is how income generation activities can be spread out all across the country. Bangladesh needs distribution of economic benefits like this in order to make 4IR meaningful for its population.