Higher Education and Leadership Development for Sustainable Textiles in Bangladesh (HELD)

Project description

Title: Higher Education and Leadership Development for Sustainable Textiles in Bangladesh (HELD)
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)​​​​​​​
Country: Bangladesh
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh​​​​​​​
Overall term: 2021 to 2023

Textile Engineering students ©GIZ

Context:

The textile and garment sector is crucial for the economic and social development of Bangladesh. It has grown at an immense rate over the last two decades. However, sustainable development remains a challenge. One of the key factors that limit the sector’s growth is the predominant lack of qualified specialists and managers working in sustainable business management.

This is where the Higher Education and Leadership Development for Sustainable Textiles in Bangladesh (HELD) project steps in. Building on its forerunner, the ‘German-Bangladesh Higher Education Network for Sustainable Textiles’, it develops the competences of future specialists and managers in the industry. Qualified management staff who ensure compliance with social and environmental standards will contribute to maintaining and effectively increasing the global competitiveness of the textile industry in the long term.

Training of textile managers ©GIZ

Objective:

The application-oriented competences of future specialists and managers of the textile industry in the field of sustainable corporate management are strengthened.

HELD Project Planning Workshop ©GIZ

Approach:

In cooperation with the Ministry of Education (MoE), the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB), the project pursues a holistic approach that encompasses three areas of intervention: Higher Education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Management Trainings.

In the field of higher education, the project implements new modules and trainings for faculty members of universities and textile colleges. It conducts inter-university networking events and prepares a Master’s programme at the Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX).

The TVET component sets up an expert panel, consisting of sector experts, stakeholders of the Ministry of Education and universities, to devise new modules on sustainability. These will be piloted in selected diploma institutes. 


Finally, the project implements a training programme on sustainability management for junior managers in the textile industry. In cooperation with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the project trains young trade union leaders and fosters social sustainability dialogues.

Status: December 2021

Additional information