President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged public and private universities to equip graduates with the skills needed to work in different sectors and meet the country’s needs.

He made the call when a delegation led by Daffodil International University Board of Trustees Chairman Dr Md Sabur Khan paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on 8 October, 2026, President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told BSS.

“Main objective of public and private universities shall be to build a skilled workforce according to the needs of the country,” the president said.

“Numerous graduates have emerged in the country in the 50 years since independence. Yet, foreign workers have to be brought in to operate various strategic installations, ports and specialised institutions, as well as private companies in the country,” he said, urging universities to play a greater role.

During the meeting, Sabur Khan briefed the president on the university’s overall academic activities.

“The university has its own patent development department, which assists researchers in securing patent rights and commercialising their innovations,” he said.

He added that the university provided education in employment-oriented fields, including research, production and multimedia, nutrition and food, fisheries, and information and communication.

These activities were contributing to the university’s progress in international rankings, he said.

The president expressed satisfaction with the university’s activities, thanked the delegation and urged it to maintain the quality of education.

Sabur Khan formally invited the president to attend the university’s upcoming convocation ceremony.

The president’s Military Secretary Major General ASM Bahauddin, Secretary AJM Salauddin and Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam attended the meeting.

University representatives present included Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr MR Kabir, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Masum Iqbal, Board of Trustees Member Dr Md Emran Hossain, Academic Affairs Dean Professor Dr Mostafa Kamal and Registrar Dr Nadir Bin Ali.