The government is aiming to revise textbook curriculum and create technologically sound manpower to survive the upcoming fourth industrial revolution that will be driven by technology.
To cope with the industrial revolution, the government will introduce some schemes in the financial system to encourage small and medium entrepreneurs to adopt the new technology, said Khandker Anwarul Islam, cabinet secretary, at a press briefing at the secretariat yesterday.
In the meeting, a proposal was given to form a taskforce to find the way to deal with the fourth industrial revolution.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the weekly cabinet meeting from the Gono Bhaban virtually and chaired it.
The cabinet secretary said, "Our future depends on the way of handling the fourth industrial revolution. If we fail to handle it, we'll face problems. … We'll fall behind the international competition in economy and technology."
Total technology and system of production will change. "In some sectors, manpower will be reduced, while the demand for manpower will increase in other sectors. We have to develop our workforce in light of that."
Of the multiple problems, three problems of the upcoming revolution have been pointed out. These are replacement of workforce by machines or robots, outdated curriculum and bulk investment.
"We would not be able to cope with the technology with our existing curriculum. Therefore, we need to introduce advanced education system to increase knowledge [of students]," he said, adding that financial stimulus packages and proper training will solve other problems.
He said 10 technologies will dominate the fourth industrial revolution, he said, adding that the country needs to emphasise on the 10 technologies.
These are: advanced materials, cloud technology, autonomous vehicle including drone, synthetic biology, virtual augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robot, blockchain, 3D printing and internet of things.
"To deal with the fourth industrial revolution, one must have knowledge on these technologies," he said.
Replying to a query, he said the authorities concerned have been instructed to form a national steering committee to include these in the curriculum.
Meanwhile, the cabinet in principle approved the draft of the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council Bill-2020, aiming to replace the existing Jatiya Muktijoddha Council Act-2002.
"The Liberation War affairs ministry placed the draft law as the existing act can't fulfil the demand of present time completely. With the passage of the proposed law, the existing act of 2002 will be annulled," said the secretary.
The provisions related to the operation and formulation of the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (National Freedom Fighter Council) have been made more precise in the proposed law.
As per the bill, the council could prepare the list of the collaborators and recommend that the government publish it.
Anwarul said the council will have the authority to recommend the list of those who had opposed the Liberation War of Bangladesh, acting as members of Razakar, Al Badr and Al Shams or engaging in the war as members of the para-military forces from March 26 to December 16 in 1971.
In another development, the cabinet also okayed the drafts of revised memorandum of association and articles of association of a company titled "Bangladesh Data Centre Company Limited".
The cabinet secretary said from now on, data of all government servers will be stored at Kaliakoir Hi-Tech City.
Private ogranisations can also do so on payment, he said, adding that it will be more secure.
There will be a backup in Jashore. As a result, there is no fear of losing data if any disaster takes place at Kaliakoir Hi-Tech City.
Replying to a question, he said all government organisations have been instructed to store their data at the Hi-Tech City.
The cabinet also gave the nod to a proposal to observe December 18 as the national and international migration day every year.
© Daily Star
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