Collaboration key to solving real-world problems: Mahdi

Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin has said effective collaboration among industry, academia and the government is essential to finding practical solutions to the country's existing challenges.

He said there was no alternative to public-private partnerships and joint initiatives between academia and industry to ensure comprehensive improvements in the education system.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Bangladesh AI Business Summit 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on Thursday, Mahdi said the primary objective of education, research and any development project should be to address real-world problems effectively.

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He noted that Bangladesh still depends on imported products, foreign consultants and international assistance to tackle various challenges, despite having the talent and expertise to develop local solutions.

The session, titled “Industry-Academia Linkage: AI's Transformation Towards Business Innovation”, was jointly organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

Mahdi, who is also the spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, said the government was arranging various startup funds and grants to support innovative ideas emerging from educational institutions.

Initiatives were also underway to provide initial capital for promising ventures launched by people outside the formal education system and those working in the informal economy, he said.

He added that the government aimed to build a sustainable national industrial ecosystem by bringing small and medium-sized entrepreneurs alongside large industries.

Referring to the July mass uprising, Mahdi said the government, which assumed office with a direct public mandate after a prolonged struggle, was committed to ensuring equality, human dignity and social justice.

Political identity should not be the primary consideration in achieving these goals, he said, calling on everyone to work together in the national interest and to safeguard the country's sovereignty.