Image: Syed Manzoorul Islam speaking on education reform
Dhaka, Bangladesh — Syed Manzoorul Islam on education investment and AI has reignited national debate after the veteran educationist warned that Bangladesh’s economy could face severe setbacks within a decade if education quality and innovation do not improve.
In a recent interview, Professor Islam said that leading institutions like BUET and Dhaka University are lagging in global rankings because of low teacher salaries, political interference, and weak curricula. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s education system is more focused on producing graduates than nurturing thinkers — a flaw that could prove fatal in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
According to Syed Manzoorul Islam, businesses that fail to adapt to AI-driven transformation will suffer. “Without a workforce trained in digital literacy, creativity, and critical thinking, automation will replace many jobs,” he warned.
Globally, the AI in education market is expected to rise from USD 5.9 billion in 2024 to over USD 32 billion by 2030. Yet, a 2025 MIT report found that 95% of generative AI pilots showed little business benefit — proof that technology without skill leads nowhere.
To safeguard the future, Islam urged policymakers to increase teacher pay, modernize curricula, and integrate soft skills into every level of education. He also called for collaboration between academia and industry to make students more employable in the coming AI era.
For deeper insights on Bangladesh’s education and innovation, visit AfterTech’s Education Section or read related analysis on TBS News.
Sources: The Business Standard, Grand View Research, Stanford HAI, Fortune
