At a lively seminar held at Daffodil International University, leaders and young people gathered to discuss how youth and universities can help turn research and new ideas into real jobs and stronger growth. The meeting brought government officials, business leaders and university staff together, and a senior finance ministry official opened the session with a clear message: Bangladesh is ready to move beyond least developed country status and must prepare for a future without special LDC benefits. He warned that deferral is not an option and urged a planned move to higher productivity through fairer wages, better training and cleaner energy choices, and he said a high level committee will guide the transition so the change causes the least harm. A former president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry told students and young people they have a key role to play by pushing for new ideas, learning the skills that industry needs and helping diversify exports so the country can grow into an upper middle or high income economy. The university vice chancellor presided over the seminar and joined panelists who brought ideas from research, policy and business. Speakers included an expert from a policy think tank, a chief executive from a business initiative group, and a project adviser from the support to sustainable graduation effort, and they all urged closer links between campuses and the market. They said universities should focus more on practical research, share lab space with firms, support student startups and train graduates in skills employers want. Business leaders were asked to invest in local testing, to hire young talent and to work with universities on real projects so students gain hands on experience while firms get fresh solutions. Panelists also called on funding bodies and public agencies to back small pilot projects that translate ideas into useful products and services, and to set up forums where researchers and business people can meet regularly. The seminar argued that youth are not just future workers but active partners who can lead innovation, help shape fair policies and support local firms to sell to new markets. Speakers painted a hopeful picture where steady cooperation across sectors would create new jobs, lift skills and protect resources while growing the economy. They stressed simple steps such as more workplace training, clearer paths from campus labs to factories, and stronger ties between innovation funds and local firms. By the end, organisers hoped the talks would spark follow up pilots, more university industry projects and stronger plans that help students turn ideas into startups, and help the country move forward with care and confidence. Many at the seminar pledged follow up steps and reviews to keep progress on track soon.
