Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized that her administration has revamped the nation's education system to be multi-dimensional and innovative, placing a high priority on science and technology to meet global standards.

"We've structured an education system to foster employment opportunities both domestically and internationally," she stated during a program at Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Monday. The event marked the distribution of stipends and tuition fees to meritorious but financially challenged students from secondary to graduate levels under the Prime Minister's Education Assistance Trust (PMEAT).

Since 2009, the government has established 23 public and 54 private universities across the country, catering to the growing demand for diverse educational fields, including agriculture, veterinary sciences, medical sciences, and technology, among others.

The Prime Minister highlighted that no country can keep pace with global changes without a solid foundation in science, research, and technology, prompting her government to allocate significant resources for research for the first time since 1975.

The government has set aside Tk100 crore in the budget to boost research and promote science and technology education. The PMEAT was created to assist talented but financially disadvantaged students in utilizing their abilities for the country's development.

A total of Tk2,208 crore will be distributed to over 6,470,000 students from various educational levels, with stipends and tuition fees being disbursed directly to beneficiaries through a digital system.

At the event, the Prime Minister also awarded the Bangabandhu Creative Talent Search Award 2024 to 15 students and the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Scholar Award 2023 to 21 students, acknowledging their academic excellence.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her government's commitment to permanently structuring PMEAT to ensure continuous support for students, even after project tenures end. She also announced a contribution of Tk2 crore from the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust to the PMEAT.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed her confidence in the youth of Bangladesh, believing that the meritorious students will lead the nation toward becoming a "smart Bangladesh." She also mentioned updates to the curriculum and grading systems to ensure students can pursue their education with interest and enthusiasm.

With a substantial budget allocation of Tk94,710 crore for the social sector in the fiscal year 2024-25, the government is dedicated to the advancement of education, hoping it will significantly impact society.