IUB-MCCI roundtable discusses on graduate employability

The Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), organised a roundtable in partnership with the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI), on September 10, 2026.

The roundtable discussed ways to strengthen university-industry collaboration and identify priorities for industry-responsive education, experiential learning, applied research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It brought together IUB Trustees and senior leadership, MCCI leadership, and business and industry representatives.

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The discussion focused on mitigating the gap between academic preparation and workplace requirements. Participants discussed practical skills, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork; digital competencies; leadership; adaptability; and entrepreneurship, along with curriculum development, graduate employability, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, structured internships, experiential learning, industry-based capstone projects, applied research and commercialisation, and faculty–industry engagement.

Representatives from Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC., AKIJBASHIR Group, CONVEYOR GROUP, PHP Automobiles and PHP Motors Limited, Bashundhara Chemical Industries Ltd., and Kazi Food Industries Ltd. participated in the roundtable alongside the MCCI Board of Directors.

Participants proposed a university–industry co-creation model in which industry would contribute to curriculum development, skills identification, workplace learning, applied research, innovation, and talent development.

Proposed initiatives included an IUB–MCCI University–Industry Advisory Council, an industry-responsive skills framework, structured internship and mentorship programmes, industry-based capstone projects, joint entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives, applied research and commercialisation programmes, and an annual IUB–MCCI University–Industry Summit.

The proposed initiatives are expected to begin within the next 6–12 months, with progress to be assessed through indicators including industry partnerships, internships, mentorships, capstone projects, joint research initiatives, student start-ups, and industry-recognised certifications.

The roundtable was facilitated by Prof. Md Abdur Razzak, Director of IQAC at IUB, and moderated by Prof. Nazrul Islam, Professor of International Business under IUB's School of Business and Entrepreneurship.