DHAKA, Aug 2, 2026 (BSS) - A nationwide Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme has been launched under the Department of Youth Development project titled ‘Skills Development of IT-Knowledgeable Youth through Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology’ to equip young people with AI-based skills.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Hoque inaugurated the programme today at the Mom Inn Auditorium in Bogura, said a press release here.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam, State Minister for Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari, and members of parliament from Bogura were present at the event.

Around 2,000 trainees, project officials, trainers and coordinators from different districts of the country also joined the event virtually.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Aminul Hoque called on young people to acquire and utilise skills for employment opportunities.

He said the government is working to prepare the youth for technology-driven workplaces through AI-based skills development.  The training would create opportunities for employment and self-employment, he added. 

He also mentioned that the government’s plan to establish 10 international-standard sports villages in different parts of the country, including Bogura.

Mir Shah Alam said the government's initiative to develop technology-based skills would help expand employment opportunities at the local level. 

He urged the trainees to utilise their acquired skills to create employment opportunities.

Md. Abdul Bari said such training programmes would play an important role in developing skilled human resources in the field of information technology. 

He stressed the importance of regular participation by trainees to achieve the intended skills.

Managing Director of e-Learning and Earning Limited Masud Alam said the project has been designed to develop AI-based skills. Trainees will have the opportunity to use various modern AI tools so that they can acquire the skills required by both domestic and international job markets, he added.

Youth and Sports secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam presided over the function.

The programme was informed that, in the first phase of the project, a total of 1,600 trainees, with 25 selected from each of the country's 64 districts, have been enrolled. Training activities will be conducted in 448 batches, with 25 participants in each batch. Each course will run for two months and include 50 classes comprising a total of 300 hours of training.

Rezaul Karim Badsha, MP, Mosharraf Hossain, MP, Abdul Muhit Talukdar, MP, and Suraiya Zerin Rony, MP, among others, were present at the event.

At the programme, laptops were distributed to eight top-earning freelancers at the divisional level under the ongoing freelancing project of the Department of Youth Development. 

In addition, 24 freelancers from different districts of Rajshahi Division were presented with honorary crests.