Support to Tertiary Education Development

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Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been a long-term partner in education sector development in Bangladesh, especially in school education and skills development. ADB currently supports primary and secondary education sector-wide approaches with emphasis on Science, Mathematics, English, and use of ICT. ADB is assisting the government in expanding job-relevant training opportunities focusing on basic to mid-level skills linked with job placements through industry partnerships. From 2018, the government has requested several interventions in tertiary education development. Building upon the achievements of past and ongoing education sector projects as well as lessons from recent engagement in tertiary education, ADB will help the government make strategic investments for tertiary education catering to specific industries' demand for improved human capital and contribute to socioeconomic transformation. Lessons from the preparatory work for the Improving Computer and Software Engineering Tertiary Education Project are (i) that wider stakeholder consultants (especially with industry and students) are crucial to inform the project design and convince universities and the government to adopt innovative approaches, and (ii) that quality and relevance improvement measures require several rounds of discussion to gather momentum for institution-wide buy-in. A technical assistance providing strategic technical inputs through resource persons and expert consultants has been highly appreciated by the government and stakeholders as the technical areas require understanding of latest industry requirements, international good practices, and innovative approaches successful in other countries. ADB will focus its efforts in specific disciplines or universities to provide integrated supports in developing new and upgraded higher education programs, addressing the gaps in quality and relevance of those programs. This approach complements the World Bank's higher education interventions aiming at improving university governance, quality assurance, and research capacity across the whole sub-sector.