Written by The Banking Post
Experts have urged the Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) to update its MBA curriculum with contemporary industry issues to better prepare future CEOs for the country’s $47 billion apparel sector.
The call came at a discussion titled “Curriculum Revisit for the MBA in Textiles and Fresher’s Reception Program 2025”, organised by the Department of Textile Engineering Management at BUTEX in Dhaka on Friday.
Speakers stressed that while engineers excel technically, they often lack managerial insight into costs, efficiency, and time management—skills vital for leadership roles.
Sharing his own experience, Viyellatex Group Chairman and CEO David Hasnat said, “When starting out, focus on excellence, not earnings.” He noted that his early training in business management later proved crucial to building a diversified enterprise.
Masco Group Executive Director Mahbub Milton said the programme must evolve to produce future industry leaders, not just managers. He called for a greater focus on productivity, waste reduction, cost efficiency, and emotional intelligence.
BUTEX Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Zulhash Uddin said the MBA was the only specialised course of its kind in Bangladesh, designed to prepare graduates for top leadership roles in textiles and apparel.
Other industry leaders echoed the need for stronger alignment between academia and industry. RH Corporation’s Hafizur Rahman said the revamped curriculum would bridge managerial gaps among textile engineers and nurture entrepreneurs. Grameen Knitwear’s Anwar Hossain highlighted weaknesses in technical capacity and HR knowledge, stressing the inclusion of supply chain management, procurement, waste management, and strategic planning.
Sainsbury’s Regional Manager Nasimul Gani noted that many technical roles in Bangladesh are filled by foreigners due to local graduates’ limited interest in technical departments. “Although we have strong technical expertise, we lag behind due to weak communication skills,” he observed.
Experts also called for modules on labour law, contract law, and intellectual property rights to strengthen graduates’ ability to lead in a competitive global industry.
