Students must develop digital skills and technical knowledge: Khasru

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury today said that students must have a solid understanding of computers to keep pace with the modern world.

Terming conventional education alone is insufficient to keep pace with the changing world, the minister said that students need to possess technical knowledge, the ability to learn through digital methods, and an understanding of artificial intelligence. Without these skills, it will be difficult to excel in future.

Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury made the remarks on Friday afternoon as chief guest at a reception for meritorious students at Chattogram Collegiate School.

Acting Headmaster Mohammad Tajalli Azad presided over the event while Professor Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury, Chairman of the Chattogram Education Board, and Mohammad Faridul Alam Hossaini, Regional Deputy Director of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, Chattogram, among others, addressed the function as special guests.

Congratulating the students for their outstanding results, the minister highlighted that the role of guardians and families play a vital part in the success of students. "No student can achieve everything through individual effort alone. It is difficult to get excellent results in a home that lacks a proper educational atmosphere. With the right environment, students can do even better. The collective effort of teachers, students, guardians, and family members is crucial," he added.

The minister is himself an alumnus of the school, and he spoke fondly of his time there.

"Historically, this institution has shown excellence in education," he said. "Walking into the school, many memories of my student life come flooding back. Childhood memories of school assemblies, cricket matches, and the library remain vivid in my heart. People may forget many events in life, but memories of school days are not easily forgotten. I still remember the names of those teachers."

"The memories of the school's staff and everyone connected with it in various ways remain vivid in my mind," he added.

He said, "The management and development of the school, and ensuring the best possible education for future students, have always mattered greatly to me."

The Minister expressed regret on learning that the library at Collegiate School is no longer as functional as it once was. "A library is vital to any educational institution," he said. "It must be given top priority so that students develop a habit of reading and acquire knowledge. I am also surprised that there is no computer lab here. Today, a school simply cannot function without one. We will set up a computer lab here."

Earlier in the morning, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury inaugurated a cycle track in the Patenga area of the city, built by the Chattogram City Corporation. The 3.5-kilometer track is reserved exclusively for cyclists and is the first one of its kind in the country.

At the inauguration, the Minister said, "In developed countries, almost every road has a dedicated cycling lane. People there bicycle to work, which also keeps them physically fit, so they fall ill less often. The current government wants to introduce this practice in our country as well."

He added, "I have asked the Mayor to build four or five more cycling paths in Chattogram. We must expand opportunities to use bicycles instead of depending only on buses and private cars."

The Minister went on saying, "I have also asked the Mayor to build walkways along both sides of the city's canals wherever possible. There must be enough space for people to walk and run without obstruction. We need to create the facilities to groom skilled athletes in running, high jump, and long jump."

He said work is underway to create walkways in various areas for both men and women. As city life increasingly revolves around residential buildings and apartments, people have fewer chances to be physically active. To change this, suitable environments for walking, running, and exercise must be created.