(BSS) - BNP Acting Secretary General and Prime Minister`s Political Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today called for the maximum utilization of the country`s highly educated engineers and technocrats in important state affairs.

He said, "If talented individuals are not properly utilized, the country will not be able to achieve its desired development goals. Rather, this will further increase `brain drain`."

Rizvi made the remarks as the chief guest at the National Engineers` Conference 2026 at the auditorium of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) here.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the countries rapidly advancing towards development globally have placed special emphasis on technology, technical education, and the creation of skilled human resources.

Citing China`s development as an example, he said the country is progressing rapidly by utilizing technical education and the skills of technocrats.

The veteran BNP leader stressed the need to increase the value placed on intellect and merit in society. He called for vigilance so that the influence of any extralegal forces does not hinder meritocracy. He noted that ensuring opportunities on the basis of the rule of law and merit would make it possible to harness talented individuals to the fullest.

"Highly educated and talented individuals must be utilized in every sector of the state.

Additionally, the scope of research must be expanded. Opportunities for acquiring new knowledge and capabilities through research in various fields, including medicine, technology, physics, social sciences, and biology, need to be created," Rizvi said.

He stressed the need for initiatives not only to utilize the country`s talented individuals but also to engage Bangladeshis pursuing higher education abroad and those playing important roles in various countries in the country`s development and production. In this context, he referred to

the concept of the "Talent Pool" introduced by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

Referring to the construction of the Teesta Barrage, Rizvi said it was built with local funding and through the expertise and skills of local engineers. This demonstrated the capabilities of local engineers.

Noting that around 50 technical institutions and university-level institutes have been established in the country, Rizvi said, opportunities must be created to more extensively utilize the skills of the vast number of talented engineers and technologists graduating from these institutions each year in the country`s development activities.