The youth should empower themselves with the right skills to meet the demand from local industries and tap international opportunities, said experts at a seminar yesterday.

"The next generation will have to be ready with knowledge and skills as the world is changing," said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.

He was backed by Haripada Das, programme officer of the International Labour Organisation in Dhaka. "The current generation can't only focus on gaining academic degrees or certificates. They will have to have at least one skill. It could be in any area. That is the demand of the world."

"We especially need to gain industrial and technological skills," he added.

They spoke at the seminar styled 'Map to Light up Opportunities', organised by Rotary Club of Dhaka Bangladesh, at the Senate Bhaban auditorium at Dhaka University.

Rubina Husain, chairman of New Generation Seminar 2014-15, said the seminar aims to build a knowledge bank to develop each individual's skills through up-skilling, career planning, entrepreneurship, leadership and mentoring.

"We are here today because we chose to be leaders and future entrepreneurs through personnel development and services for the growth of our community," said Husain, who is also the vice-president of Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs.

The minister criticised the current education system. "Under this system, students strive to learn how to make a living, but not how to make a life," he said, referring to last year's admission test at Dhaka University where a large number of candidates with top academic results failed to get minimum pass marks.

"We have to focus on the quality of education. We are trying to improve the quality, but we have a long way to go."

Haripada Das of the ILO said the current generation is fortunate as they have vast opportunities in front of them.

According to the United Nations, Bangladesh will have a population of 18 crore in 2030. Of them, 12 crore will be of working age.

"While the number of working-age people in other countries is decreasing, it is increasing in Bangladesh. It is a huge strength for the country, and it has to be utilised properly to tap the country's potential," Das said.

Safina Rahman, district governor of Rotary International Bangladesh, said Rotary Bangladesh works with the youth as they are the future of the country.

"And you will have to have skills that cater to the requirements of the industries," she said.

Habib K Sattar, president of Rotary Club of Dhaka Buriganga, said students will have to plan their career in a smart way, whether they seek jobs or want to create jobs for others, as new fields of opportunities are opening up.

AKM Bari, chairman of the Industry Skills Council for Tourism and Hospitality, said the educated youth will not succeed if they do not have skills that the industries require.

He said the country's tourism sector could create opportunities for the graduates. "The government needs to take some bold decisions to help the sector flourish."

Bari said if Bangladesh provides on-arrival visas to the Indians, the country would be able to earn $1 billion annually in revenue.