TECHNOLOGICAL breakthroughs in generative artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and clean energy are rapidly transforming business, industry and the global workforce. Many traditional jobs are disappearing, while demand for future-oriented skills in artificial intelligence, cyber security and digital literacy is soaring. For Bangladesh, adapting to this new reality is no longer a choice, it is imperative for both economic progress and social stability.
Bangladesh鈥檚 growth over the past three decades has been driven by export-oriented industries, robust domestic demand and remittances. In the 2024鈥�2025 financial year, exports reached $48.28 billion, with ready-made garments contributing more than 80 per cent. While information and communication technology, pharmaceuticals and infrastructure are expanding, excessive dependence on ready-made garments presents significant risks in a world where the Fourth Industrial Revolution is reshaping global value chains. To remain competitive, Bangladesh must diversify into sectors such as information and communication technology, agricultural technology, digital services, pharmaceuticals and green manufacturing.
The future of work will demand flexibility, creativity and resilience. Hybrid work models, the gig economy and entrepreneurship are redefining career paths, compelling workers to continuously learn and adapt. At the same time, cyber security has become a major concern as businesses transition to digital platforms, exposing themselves to the growing threats of ransomware and data breaches. Skills in cyber security, programming and digital operations are already among the most sought after in Bangladesh.
Other nations offer instructive examples. Vietnam has successfully attracted high-technology foreign direct investment in electronics and green industries, India has cultivated innovation-driven ecosystems and China has incorporated research and development and industrial clustering into its national strategy. Bangladesh too has the potential to leapfrog into modular, scalable and cost-efficient smart manufacturing rather than reproducing outdated industrial models.
To succeed, the country must avoid heavy investment in obsolete, large-scale automation and instead adopt modular, flexible and scalable technological solutions. Yet industrial transformation alone will not suffice, developing a workforce ready for the future is indispensable. Tomorrow鈥檚 jobs will require a blend of cognitive skills (systems thinking, problem-solving, multilingual communication), technological skills (artificial intelligence, big data, programming, design, cyber security) and human skills (adaptability, leadership, empathy and lifelong learning). Environmental stewardship and global citizenship will also grow in importance as enterprises respond to sustainability and ethical imperatives.
In this transformation, universities have a pivotal role to play. Curricula, teaching methods and industry linkages must be reformed to ensure that graduates emerge as adaptable professionals rather than mere degree holders. Upskilling and reskilling initiatives in information and communication technology, automation, maintenance of the Internet of Things and green energy should form the core of national workforce development strategies.
Bangladesh stands at a decisive juncture. Its economic foundations remain strong, yet overreliance on traditional industries cannot be sustained in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. To prepare for the challenges ahead, three priorities are crucial. First, reform higher education so that curricula are aligned with industry needs, emphasising digital competence, entrepreneurship and meaningful collaboration between universities and industries. Second, introduce lifelong learning and reskilling programmes, particularly in information and communication technology, smart manufacturing, green energy and pharmaceuticals. Third, foster an enabling ecosystem by attracting foreign direct investment, promoting research and development, strengthening cyber security and investing in digital infrastructure.
If pursued coherently, these strategies can help Bangladesh expand its economic base beyond ready-made garments and build a future-ready workforce capable of driving inclusive growth in a rapidly evolving global economy.
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MM Shahidul Hassan is a distinguished professor at Eastern University and retired professor at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
