Chattogram, Bangladesh – November 10, 2024 : H.E. Mr. IWAMA Kiminori, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, paid a visit to UCEP Bangladesh’s Chattogram Region in Kalurghat on 07 November, underscoring the deepening partnership between Japan and Bangladesh in technical and vocational education (TVET) sector. Accompanying him were Dr. Md. Abdul Karim, Executive Director of UCEP Bangladesh, Janab Salahuddin Kasem Khan, Trustee Secretary of the A K Khan Foundation (AKKF), Mr. Abul Bashar, Principal Coordinator of AKKF, Engr. K M Rezaur Rahman, Head of Engineering at AKKF, and other officials from both the Embassy of Japan and UCEP Bangladesh.
The ambassador toured several facilities, including the A K Khan UCEP TVET Institute, A K Khan UCEP Technical School, and the construction site of the new A K Khan UCEP TVET Complex. These visits provided a comprehensive overview of the ongoing technical education initiatives of UCEP Bangladesh in the region.
Following the tour, Dr. Md. Abdul Karim presented an overview of UCEP’s skills training programs, particularly those implemented in Chattogram and Rangamati hill district, and shared plans for future collaboration with the Governmrnt of Japan. Dr. Karim highlighted ongoing discussions with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to introduce specialized caregiving courses, aligning UCEP’s training with Japan’s workforce needs and creating new employment pathways for Bangladeshi youth.
Janab Salahuddin Kasem Khan reflected on the longstanding partnership between AKKF and UCEP, which began in 1991. He emphasized the foundation’s commitment to nurturing a skilled workforce for both the local and international markets, a goal that aligns well with Japan’s interest in the sector.
Ambassador Iwama Kiminori reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s vocational education sector, noting Bangladesh’s potential to meet global workforce needs, particularly in caregiving. He encouraged aligning UCEP’s caregiving curriculum with Japanese standards, strengthening the pathway for Bangladeshi caregivers in Japan.
This visit signifies the robust collaboration between Japan and Bangladesh in vocational education, with a shared vision to build a globally competitive and skilled workforce.