hrd in ict_for_db_industry_20.mar.2009_v1.5

Digital Bangladesh

How Can We build Industry Ready HR for IT?

March 20, 2009Fokhruz Zaman, BASIS

20.March.2009 HRD in ICT for Digital Bangladesh 2

EVOLUTION

TODO List

1. Clearly Define HRD Targets in ICT for Digital Bangladesh

2. Work with Industry and Academia, stop the “blame game”

3. Focus on few priority ICT Sub-Sectors, like GDS, BPO, Mobile Apps, etc..

4. Build employable ICT Professionals, Look beyond the ICT Graduates : Implement IPSAEP Successfully

5. Build competent ICT Technicians, Look below the “typical graduate professional line” : Revise the TVET with ICT

6. Stop “brain drain” : Keep highly-skilled experienced ICT Professionals, Bring NRB ICT talents back home

7. Build HRD Centers of Excellence in ICT


EVOLUTION

Topics

• “Digital Bangladesh” as we “see” it !

• ICT Industry in Bangladesh

• HRD – The Learning Model

• The “Demand vs Supply” Gap Dilemma !

• HRD Initiatives in the ICT Industry

• Way Forward


EVOLUTION

• PM’s ICT Task Force in 2000

• ICT declared as thrust sector in 2001 with MoSICT Ministry

• ICT Policy 2002

• WSIS Declaration in 2005

• ICT Act 2006

• Right to Information Ordinance in 2008

• Revised ICT Policy 2008

• ‘Information Society/Knowledge economy’ talks/articles all along

• ‘Digital Bangladesh’ promise in AL election manifesto

Mostly rhetoric in the past

‘Important’ agenda buried under short-term urgencies

Possible Evolution ?


ICT Policy 2008 Vision

• Expand and diversify the use of ICTs to establish a– transparent, responsive and accountable government;

– develop skilled human resources;

– enhance social equity;

– ensure cost-effective delivery of citizen-services through public-private partnerships;

– support the national goal of becoming a middle-income country within ten years and join the ranks of the developed countries of the world within thirty years.


Objectives of ICT Policy

SharedVision

Social Equity

Support to ICTs

IntegrityHealthcare

Productivity

EmploymentCreation

Environment, Climate and

Disaster Management

Education &Research Strengthening

ExportsUniversalAccess

Ensure social equity, gender parity, equal opportunity and equitable participation in nation-building through access to ICTs for all, including persons with disabilities and special needs

Achieve higher productivity across all economic sectors including agriculture and small, medium and micro enterprises through the use of ICTs

Achieve transparency, accountability, responsiveness and higher efficiency in the delivery of citizen-services

Enlarge the pool of world-class ICT professionals to cater to the local and overseas employment opportunities

Ensure a thriving software, ITES & IT development and manufacturing industry to meet domestic & global demands and thereby increase foreign exchange earnings, attract foreign direct investments and reduce dependence on imports

Expand the reach and quality of education to all parts of the country and segments of the population using ICTs, ensure computer literacy at all levels of education & public service and facilitate creation of intellectual property & adoption of ICTs through appropriate R&D

Ensure access for everyone

Develop appropriate support infrastructure including power and regulatory framework for effective adoption and use of ICTs throughout the country

Ensure quality healthcare to all citizens by innovative application of ICTs

Promote environmental preservation by adopting environment-friendly green technologies, protect citizens from adverse nature through responsive disaster management technologies, and ensure safe disposal of toxic waste resulting from use of ICTs


BD ICT Industry

• Came a long way in last 20 years

• 7 – 8 million PC Users, 4 – 5 million Internet Connection including mobile phones

• 10 Gbps Submarine connectivity

• 15,000+ SW Professionals in 400+ SW cos

• BDT 30 Billion (approx) local ICT Industry

• 20 International JVs / ODCs formed

• ICT Services to USA, Japan, Denmark, Netherlands, UK, Australia, South Africa, Middle-East and ASEAN countries

• USD 25 Million (approx) in Exports

• EU listed BD among Top 20 ICT outsourcing countries

• Annually 5,000+ ICT students from approx 200 Universities & Institutes


Why ICT Industry for us ?

• To leverage the abundant human capital and demographic advantage of BD

• To reap “more VALUE for our effort”• To leapfrog to become middle-income country• To cope with the “global knowledge economy”• To solve our specific problems• To put our footprint globally


ICT Industry Benefits

• Higher monetary value for equal amount of effort– So better workers’ life than only RMG (US$ 200 vs US$30 per

month)

• Less competition – in the “global knowledge economy” than the “traditional

manufacturing economy”

• Fewer hassles

– since more sophisticated, more discerning and better educated consumers and businesses than the traditional RMG sector


HRD in ICT – How ?

• What is Our Game Plan …?– To produce sufficient HRs to play …

– In the selected Knowledge / ICT Industry segments

• Where do we want to go in next … Years…?– Our Clear Vision

– Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely (SMART) Objectives


HRD – Bloom’s Taxonomy – Cognitive

Model

Evaluation

Synthesis

Analysis

Application

Comprehension

Knowledge


Bloom’s Cognitive Verbs

1. Knowledge: Tell, List, Describe, Relate, Locate, Write, Find, State, Name

2. Comprehension: Explain, Interpret, Outline, Discuss, Distinguish, Predict, Restate, Translate, Compare, Describe

3. Application: Solve, Show, Use, Illustrate, Construct, Complete, Examine, Classify

4. Analysis: Analyze, Distinguish, Examine, Compare, Contrast, Investigate, Categorize, Identify, Explain, Separate

5. Synthesis: Create, Invent, Compose, Predict, Plan, Construct, Design, Imagine, Propose, Devise, Formulate

6. Evaluation: Judge, Select, Choose, Decide, Justify, Debate, Verify, Argue, Recommend, Assess, Discuss, Rate, Prioritize, Determine


HR Skills Gap - 1

• “Hard Skills” Gap on specific Knowledge Areas:– Programming, Database / SQL, Graphic Design,

English, Mathematics etc..

• “Soft Skills” Gap for:– Thinking / Communicating,

– Discipline / Time management, and

– TEAM Collaborations, etc…


HR Skills Gap - 2

• First Two Levels : “Knowledge” and “Comprehension” – is a MUST from Academic Education

– Which is often SADLY Missing …

• 3rd & 4th Levels : “Application” & “Analysis”– Can be achieved with PROPER Academia + Industry

Collaboration

• 5th and 6th Levels: “Synthesis” & “Evaluation”– Intro from Academic Education

– Achieved through Practice and Continuing Education


HR Skills Gap – Myths & “Blame Game”

• Our ICT Industry is “incompetent”… – Doesn’t know how to handle fresh ICT Grads

– Academia is teaching high level things which Industry can’t absorb

– Escapes duties and Finds fun in blaming ICT Academia

• Our ICT Academia is “arrogant”… – “Can do anything” attitude; whereas no Industry experience

– Industry is fighting for survival with ever changing global ICT with no academia support, because academia does not update courses

– Escapes duties and Finds fun in blaming the ICT Industry

• Our Government is not serious in HRD for ICT… – ICT as a “Thrust Sector” .. Only rhetoric and some tax holiday …

– Lacks SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely) Objectives in HRD in both Industry and Academia


HR Skills : Demand Side – 1

• Huge Global Demands

• Rather the world is crying for talents in almost all Knowledge Industries…– Even in this gloomy economic global crisis …

• Local Demand is also on the rise …

• Right skills set not easily found …


HR Skills : Demand Side – 2

• More than 15,000 SW professionals in 400 registered software companies

• Avg HR growth in Software and ITS more than 30% annually

• Biotech / Pharma; ITES; Financial Services’ HR growth are also in similar range

• HR Supply side still not adequate to meet the demands


HR Skills : Supply Side – 1

• Approx 5,000 ICT Graduates annually in BD

• Approx 200,000 Graduates annually in BD

• Approx 400,000 students pass HSC annually– Science enrollment below 20%

• Approx 900,000 students pass SSC annually

• Quality of HR Supply – Very Weak in English, Math, and Concepts


HR Skills – Supply Side – 2

• Knowledge Utilization : The Missing Link

• Poor Educational Infrastructure

• Inadequate Educational National Policy and Implementations

• GIGO phenomenon in abundance– Very Weak in English, Math, and Concepts

• 40% Poor population fails to continue in education– Physical Labor Opportunity cost not affordable


TVET Pyramid for ICT ?

Professional

Mid Mgr /Sub-Asst Engr

Highly Skilled Worker /Supervisor

Skilled Worker

Semi Skilled Worker


4 ICT Jobs for TVET

• ILO and ICT Industry Reps brainstormed and suggested following 4 ICT Jobs for the TVET Program:– Graphic Designer

– IT Support Technician

– Web Designer

– Testing Technician


SE Tracks

• 5 Software Engineering Tracks– Project Management– System Analysis– Software Design– SQA & Testing– Software Documentation


Sample ICT Roles

• Project Manager• System Analyst• Software Designer / Architect• Software Engineer / Developer / Programmer• SQA Engineer• Software Tester• Software Document Writer• Server / Security Expert, System Admin• Graphic Designer• Flash Expert• QA Manager• Web Developer• Desktop Publisher, etc ….


HRD in Industry

Typical Steps:1. Company hires fresh ICT Grads2. Attaches them with seniors3. Holds orientation sessions 4. Gives small sample jobs5. (optional) Sends to Technical Training (BCC,

BASIS, BCS, ISPAB, etc…)6. Seniors mentor the juniors on the Job7. Company evaluates performance


Why IPSAEP ?

IPSAEP => ICT Professionals Skills Assessment and Enhancement Program

Create opportunities for the otherwise unemployable ICT and other competent graduates (both home & abroad)

Bring back confidence into the CSE / ICT courses in the Universities

Benchmark the ICT Industry HR Demands Benchmark the local universities’ ICT graduates Satisfy the Industry Demand


IPSAEP Mission

Help our local ICT Industry to meet their growing needs for competent ICT Professionals

Improve the quality of prospective ICT Professionals for better career path

Be responsible to large pool of competent fresh graduates willing to become ICT Professionals, local ICT firms, local universities & colleges, and other relevant stakeholders

Prudent operations to become self-sustainable within 5 years

Committed to succeed to contribute to national economic growth


IPSAEP Future

Be self-sufficient within 5 years of Operation Assess, Train and place approx 2500 ICT & other

competent graduates into job in first 2 years Assess, Train and place approx 15,000 ICT

Professionals in 5 years A Globally Renowned Institute by 2015


IPSAEP Core Values

Customer Delight -> Focus on the Customers’ ultimate delight, and all else will follow !!

Respect for Individuals -> One Individual can change the World !

Integrity everywhere -> Honest, Transparent, & Integral Business eventually wins!

Meritocracy in all Actions -> Only Merit prevails


IPSAEP Overall Strategy

Build & Grow to a financially sustainable level within five years

Differentiate through High Quality Assessment and Enhancement Programs

Replicate success through the Universities / Institutes

Liaison with Global Training & Consulting Players after local success


IPSAEP Objectives

To assess and train ICT Human Resources To identify and categorize specialization in ICT

Profession To study Local and International Job market To develop curriculum and content depending

on job market requirement To Conduct Test/Assessment To conduct skill development program for

professional enhancements To ensure quality of need-based professionals


IPSAEP Intakes

Academic Qualification:Minimum 16 Years Education4-Years Bachelor Degree3-Years Bachelor with honors + 1 Year Master

Degree2-Years Bachelor + 2-Years Master Degree

Target Group:Unemployed Graduates Employed Graduates


• Exam grading system reform at SSC/HSC level for making ‘level playing field’ for Science students

• Improve the quality of math and science teachers

• Mandate Higher Mathematics for secondary science students

• Introduce e-Learning to address the problem of dearth of teachers in Math and English

Declining Science Students in SSC, HSC


• Special Scholarship– Provide 100% govt. Scholarship / financial support in ICT Study

for students getting CGPA 5 in both the secondary and higher secondary levels

– Provide special scholarship for ICT education for 10 meritorious students from every Upazila

• Provide long term Education Loan

– with minimum 4 yr. grace period and maximum 4% interest rate for ICT and other Technical education

Higher Education Affordability Issue


• Establish at least one public University of Science and Technology in every district of the country. Industry should be tied up from the beginning to ensure relevance of curriculum and quality of teaching.

• Introduce ICT undergraduate program at the district level colleges under National University (at least one college at every district).

• Private Universities and Institutes should be encouraged for offering Science/IT programs (UGC guidance for certain percentage of Science/Technology students)

Education & Training Institutes’ Capacity Issue


• Periodic ranking of IT and other Science program of private and public universities by a competent body (including academia and industry) approved by UGC/MoED

• Relevant Industry should be institutionally involved in curriculum development and supervision of quality/relevance of training of the graduates

• Industry bodies should be supported by the Govt. for establishing training facility for making the fresh graduates ‘industry ready’.

• Govt. should mandate the ICT / Knowledge Industry for continuous professional development for the knowledge workers

Education & Training Quality and Relevance Issue


• Encourage industry to collaborate with universities to carry out their mid to long term research activities. Adopt need based research projects with Industry, Academia and Govt. partnership

• Provide incentives (financial, tax etc.) to industry to invest more in product development through R&D activities

• Support Universities to link all the electronic libraries to the global hierarchical research networks (e.g. BDREN)

R&D Issues


Way Forward

• Serious Resource mobilization around Digital Bangladesh strategy

• Serious thoughts and actions in HRD for ICT Industry

• Government, Academia and Industry MUST Work together to build Global Quality ICT HR for Common National Goals !!!


EVOLUTION

TODO List

1. Clearly Define HRD Targets in ICT for Digital Bangladesh

2. Work with Industry and Academia, stop the “blame game”

3. Focus on few priority ICT Sub-Sectors, like GDS, BPO, Mobile Apps, etc..

4. Build employable ICT Professionals, Look beyond the ICT Graduates : Implement IPSAEP Successfully

5. Build competent ICT Technicians, Look below the “typical graduate professional line” : Revise the TVET with ICT

6. Stop “brain drain” : Keep highly-skilled experienced ICT Professionals, Bring NRB ICT talents back home

7. Build HRD Centers of Excellence in ICT


Refs / Credits

• Bangladesh ICT Policy 2008 (proposed)

• BASIS Archive

• ITC-led BD ITES Strategy Paper

• Internet

• Mr. Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, A2I Program, PMO / UNDP


THANK YOU VERY MUCH

hrd in ict_for_db_industry_20.mar.2009_v1.5

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