Building future-ready graduates

Abid Aziz
Member, Board of Trustees
Uttara University

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AI should not be viewed as a threat but as a powerful tool. Universities must teach students to learn how to work with AI responsibly, ethically, and creatively. This decade is all about the Artificial Intelligence revolution.

As a second-generation business leader and edupreneur, Abid Aziz, a member of the Board of Trustees at Uttara University, is steering the institution toward a future defined by innovation. As a strategic planner accelerating national development through a forward-thinking approach, he discusses the university’s role in Bangladesh’s evolving economic landscape.

The Daily Star (TDS): Where does Uttara University position itself in the fast-changing global landscape?

Abid Aziz (AA): Higher education in the 21st century is ever-evolving, delivering regional inclusivity and global accessibility. Bangladesh is not far behind, operating on a nominal half-trillion-dollar-scale GDP and positioned as the 36th largest economy. This enables academia, government, and civil society to collaborate at an unprecedented level of progression. At Uttara University (UU), we are committed to creating an ecosystem where academic excellence, innovation, research, and industry engagement go hand in hand. Our vision is to produce graduates who are competent, skilled, and responsible citizens capable of driving an economic boom.

TDS: What distinguishes Uttara University from other private universities?

AA: Our institution was founded on the principle of imparting quality education on a national scale since 2003. In the last two decades, we have strengthened our academic governance, modernised our infrastructure, and transitioned to our state-of-the-art smart campus. To support our students, a pool of nearly one hundred buses provides free transportation services daily. We focus on creating pathways for cross-cultural learning and international academic exposure while aligning institutional policies and research agendas with internationally recognised sustainability standards and development frameworks.

TDS: Industry frequently raises concerns about the gap between academic learning and workplace expectations. How is Uttara University addressing this issue?

AA: We stay closely connected with industries to make our curriculum relevant. Our schools integrate practical learning, inward and outward internships, project-based assignments, and cross-sector business collaborations. A continuous quality improvement measure ensures our students remain globally valued. We drive the country’s innovation landscape by linking research findings with sectors like life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and green energy, facilitating commercial spin-offs and encouraging patents to build a robust talent pipeline.

TDS: How should universities respond to the rise of artificial intelligence?

AA: AI should be viewed as a powerful tool rather than a threat. Universities must teach students to work with AI responsibly, ethically, and creatively. This decade is defined by the AI revolution; those who are not acquainted with this technology will be outdated. While technology automates certain tasks, human qualities such as emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and leadership become even more valuable. Our responsibility is to prepare students for this new reality by ensuring they are experts at “prompting”.

TDS: What role does research play in your strategy and student well-being?

AA: Research is central to our long-term vision, with a significant budget increasingly allocated toward it annually. We reward top researchers through our annual research award programme to solve national and global challenges. Regarding student well-being, it is a top priority. I view human disorientation as collateral damage to rapid tech-driven advancements. Our dedicated mental health wing provides confidential support, while initiatives like student insurance (from 2027) and leadership development help students develop the resilience and confidence necessary for an increasingly complex world.

TDS: What are your strategic priorities for the next five years?

AA: We are focusing on integrating AI-centric literacy and aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Strengthening academic quality, expanding research capacity, and deepening international partnerships through our network of foreign partners are thematic priorities. Digital transformation is also essential, as it impacts everything from governance and teaching to knowledge production and research activities. Our university will continue interacting with and adapting to these global changes.

Interview conducted by Tagabun Taharim Titun