This sub-component will develop and implement a program to convert ICT / CSE / IT/ science graduates into IT services professionals by providing IT services skills training. In interactions with the industry it has been represented that not only is there a problem with the quality of IT graduates for the IT services segment, but there is also an acute problem of the availability of adequate numbers for both the domestic industry and for international placement.
Currently, the yearly number of IT or software graduates from public and private universities and colleges are below 5,000. However, it is estimated that Bangladesh needs, at least, 10,000 IT trained graduates to become a serious IT services outsourcing destination in the global outsourcing market. Given the current tertiary level IT education structure in public and private education system, the IT industry feedback is that the quickest way to increase the size of the pipeline of IT/software graduates is to arrange a top-up training program of six to nine months for graduates enrolled in various science subjects in various universities or university colleges. Hence this sub-component will focus on the development of 10,000 computer professionals over 4 years in Bangladesh. The program would target both computer and non-computer science professionals and train them for jobs in IT. Given the importance of clear industry linkages for such a program, it is best to entrust the program to the industry in Bangladesh. Leading IT associations will be involved in the design and rollout of the program. Students to be enrolled in the project will be selected from various ICT/CSE/science/engineering subjects; such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, bio-chemistry, statistics, population science, etc. The selection process will maintain a minimum gender ratio in order to encourage women’s participation. To ensure that the training provided to the students is relevant to the industry requirements (so that they can be absorbed readily by the software/IT industry), the training curriculum development and delivery of training will be coordinated by industry bodies (e.g., BASIS) jointly with concerned government entities like BCC. The expected sub-activities are as follow:
This sub-component will also adopt an internationally recognized software developer certification program, preferably linked to a leading global academic institution with high credibility in the area of software engineering and computer sciences. In order to improve the quality of these skills in Bangladesh it will be equally important to introduce programs that adhere to global standards. In addition this sub-component will have a customized faculty training program to improve the quality of the faculty available for teaching IT. To promote women’s participation in this industry segment, the faculty training program will encourage women master trainers. At the same time, male master trainers will be trained to assist in promoting women’s participation.
