Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for enhancing the quality and inclusivity of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps as part of a long-term vision to engage the nation鈥檚 youth in leadership, discipline and national development.
The chief adviser made the remarks after witnessing a presentation titled 鈥楴ational Transformation Through BNCC鈥� by the BNCC director general Brigadier General Abu Sayed Al Masud at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday, said a press release of the chief adviser press wing.
National security adviser Khalilur Rahman, finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain and special assistant to the chief adviser Anisuzzaman were also present at the meeting.
Brigadier General Abu Sayed Al Masud presented an overview of BNCC鈥檚 current structure, youth workforce development framework, national youth workforce plan, manpower requirements, budget, challenges, and recommendations.
BNCC currently has enlisted 561 educational institutions and aims to establish branches in all educational institutions across the country, he informed.
鈥楾he primary age group for joining BNCC is 17 to 18 years, and our goal is to train four million skilled cadets by 2030,鈥� said Brigadier General Al Masud.
Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed strong support for BNCC鈥檚 vision, emphasising the importance of ensuring quality instruction and a forward-looking approach.
鈥榃e all support BNCC, but we need to focus on the quality and ensure that we have good, credible instructors,鈥� he said, adding, 鈥榃e must pay attention to it and adopt a futuristic approach.鈥�
Professor Yunus also emphasised the importance of self-respect, discipline, and inclusivity as core values to BNCC鈥檚 mission.
鈥楤NCC is all about self-respect and discipline. There should be a system in place that allows cadets to receive certification, which can aid in their employment prospects. Networking opportunities must also be created for their better future,鈥� he said.
鈥楤NCC should not focus only on boys; equal participation of girls must be ensured,鈥� Professor Yunus added.
Finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed stressed the importance of making BNCC more operational and effective. 鈥榃e have to consider in what sort of situations we can mobilise these volunteers,鈥� he said.
National security adviser Khalilur Rahman commended BNCC鈥檚 contributions during recent national events.
鈥楪etting good instructors should be the priority. After the July Uprising, BNCC cadets came forward to help control traffic on the streets. It was a beautiful and commendable initiative,鈥� he noted.
The chief adviser thanked the BNCC leadership for their presentation and reiterated the government鈥檚 commitment to integrating youth development within the national transformation agenda through leadership, discipline and civic responsibility.