Six officers of the Bangladesh TVET Reform Project, led by the Deputy Director of Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) Mr. S.M. Shahjahan, visited the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) on March 20, 2013, made possible through the coordination of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippines.

The TVET Reform Project is an initiative of the Government of Bangladesh, assisted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and funded by the European Union. The goal of the project is to ensure Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global market and reduce poverty by improving the quality of vocational educational and training (VET). The project commenced in December 2007.

The delegation visited CPSC to be oriented with the programs and activities being offered by the Staff College. Attendees include Mr. Md. Shahadat Hossain, BTEB Specialist; Mr. Md. Abdur Razzaque, BTEB Deputy Controller; Mr. Haripada Das, Project Officer from ILO; Md. Lutfor Rahman, Directorate of Technical Education Assistant Director; and Mr. Md. Wazed Ali, Component – II Program Officer from ILO.

The Director General, Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub led the CPSC team in welcoming the delegation. He introduced CPSC to the guests as well as the program offerings. A summary of Bangladesh’ participation to regional and in-country programs, and sub-regional programs/conference/symposium was also presented. From the inception of CPSC in 1973 up to the present, CPSC trained an estimated 1,500 direct beneficiaries from Bangladesh.

Mr. Shahjahan, on behalf of the team, likewise informed about the background and successes of the project and expressed his appreciation to CPSC for the wonderful reception.

The discussion, which is the last part of the program, focused on how the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC), an international accreditation body sheltered under CPSC, can be used to create a quality assurance system in Bangladesh. The delegation also hoped that the accreditation of Bangladesh institutions through APACC will continue.